Survivor of Kidnapping, David Konyo, Shares His Journey of Survival

Harrowing Experience of Abduction

In a recent interview on “The Central Edition,” David Konyo recounted the physically and psychologically traumatic journey he endured over 738 days of captivity after being kidnapped with his family by Hamas. His harrowing experience began on October 7, 2023, when David, his wife Sharon, and their three-year-old twin daughters, Yuli and Ema, were awoken by air raid sirens in their home in Nir Oz.

As armed assailants attacked, David attempted to protect his family from the flames and smoke engulfing their home. He recalls trying to escape through a window with Yuli, only to be caught by the militants in their backyard. Sharon and Ema remained trapped inside the smoke-filled home, leading to their subsequent abductions by their captors.

A Struggle for Survival

David described a heart-wrenching scene where he saw Sharon being dragged away by start of the kidnappers. “I shouted, ‘my wife, my wife,'” he recalled. During their escape, a military helicopter targeted the attackers, resulting in the death of a local resident and injuring David, Sharon, and Yuli. As they were taken to Gaza, David was left wondering about Ema’s fate.

“I felt completely overwhelmed with the thought that Ema was not with us,” David stated. “We were in a state of constant fear and starvation.” The psychological warfare waged by their captors only deepened their suffering, with lies about Sharon purportedly moving on with her life while they were held captive. “At first, you don’t believe them when they say lies about your wife,” David shared. “But over time, it seeps in. They say, ‘Your wife has moved on,’ and it slowly penetrates your thoughts.”

The Experience in Captivity

Throughout their imprisonment, David fought to maintain hope while maneuvering through the dire conditions they endured. He resorted to creating a homemade distress signal, hoping that it would attract attention from aerial surveillance. Unfortunately, their desperate pleas for rescue went unanswered.

After ten days of their captivity, David, Sharon, and Yuli were transferred to a makeshift hospital in Khan Yunis, where they again experienced the trauma of separation and uncertainty about Ema’s condition. The family reunited only to face the daunting reality of being held in a crowded hospital with their captors looming nearby.

As the days turned into weeks, David witnessed the toll of captivity on his family. “Ema was in an emotional state, not comprehending what was going on. She would wake up screaming at night,” he recalled. The situation escalated into a nightmare when David was forced to separate from Sharon and the girls as part of a deal for their freedom.

Longing for Freedom

The division from his family was perhaps the toughest moment David faced. “The worst moment of my life was when I had to say goodbye to Yuli, Ema, and Sharon,” he expressed. The uncertainty of what awaited him in the weeks that followed led him to focus solely on survival, keeping his family’s memory alive in his thoughts.

The conditions in captivity were harsh, marked by deprivation. “We were limited to mere tablespoons of food and little water,” David said. Those dark days pushed him to contemplate giving in to despair, but he drew strength from the thought of reuniting with his loved starts.

A Long Wait for Liberation

After enduring extreme conditions for an exhausting period, hope re-emerged in early 2025 with news of a negotiated prison exchange. Although David witnessed others facilitated their escape, he remained behind due to the failure of the subsequent deal.

With authorities escalating military actions, David grappled with the loss of hope and the fear of being forgotten. He famously clung to a pink hair tie of his daughter’s, which served as a symbol of his will to endure.

Finally, on October 8, 2025, David was informed that he would be returning home. In an emotional reunion, he encountered his brother, Ariel, whom he hadn’t seen in two years. Their shared joy was dimmed by the continuous worry about their family.

Rebuilding Family Life

Upon returning home, David faced the daunting reality of reintegrating into his family life after an extended separation. “It’s not easy to come back from captivity and maintain a family dynamic, especially when you have young children,” he shared. Both he and his children are slowly transitioning back to a sense of normality.

To assist with their continued recovery, the non-profit organization “Extend a Hand” has initiated a fundraising campaign to support David and his family during their rehabilitation process, emphasizing the community’s role in his reintegration into society.

As David strives to reconnect with his daughters, he remains focused on rebuilding their lives, hoping to create a new home and nurturing environment for his family, while doing everything possible to restore their broken bonds.

For those wishing to support David’s family during their rehabilitation journey, please consider contributing to the fundraising campaign by clicking here.