Amid moments of darkness during her captivity by Hamas in Gaza, Daniella Gilboa and her friends found a way to maintain spirit and hope. Despite the harsh conditions and constant fear, they insisted on adhering to Jewish tradition and preserving the sanctity of the Shabbat.
Fearing that the captors would hear them singing in Hebrew, they taught themselves to sing “Shalom Aleichem, (Angels of Peace)” in Arabic, successfully maintaining moments of sanctity even within an incomprehensible reality – this she shared during a meeting with businessman and philanthropist Shai Graucher.
Daniella Gilboa singing “Shalom Aleichem” in Arabic:
Strength, power, and mental resilience.
Throughout the difficult period she endured in captivity, Daniella maintained her high spirits, and despite her injuries, looked for ways to cope alongside her friends. They played chess, learned Arabic to understand the captors, and even managed to find ways to connect with the outside world through radio and television broadcasts.
These moments, in which they sang and preserved their traditions, became islands of strength amid the complex reality.
Returning to Life with a Message of Strength
Since her release, Daniella has been broadcasting a message of resilience and strength. Recently, she shared her new tattoo – a butterfly with the word “Freedom” inscribed within it. “Who would have thought that three months after deciding on it, I would finally be closing the circle,” she wrote.
