On Stage at Nir Oz: Sagi Dekel Chen Reveals Songs He Wrote in Captivity

Sagi Dekel Chen, released from Hamas captivity a year and a half ago, performed this evening on the lawns of Kibbutz Nir Oz as part of the Israel Festival. He opened with a cover of Yigal Bashan's song "Shamayim" and performed for the first time nine songs he wrote and composed while in captivity. About 3,000 attendees came, including former hostages and bereaved families. Proceeds from the show will be donated to war widows and orphans.

Sagi Dekel Chen, who was abducted on October 7 from Nir Oz and released after 498 days in Hamas captivity, performed this evening (Monday) on the lawns of Kibbutz Nir Oz as part of the Israel Festival. He opened the show with a cover of Yigal Bashan's song "Shamayim," and later performed for the first time nine songs he wrote and composed during his captivity. "I used to dream a lot there," he told the audience, describing cruel and good dreams, with the hardest being those from which he had to wake up. About 3,000 attendees came to the show, including former hostages and bereaved families. All proceeds from the show will be donated to war widows and orphans. While he was in captivity, his wife Avital gave birth to their third daughter, Dor. On Memorial Day 2025, two and a half months after his release, Dekel Chen first took the stage in a song broadcast in Tel Aviv's square, where he performed "Yeladim Shel HaChayim" accompanied by Idan Raichel.