'It's so hard missing him all day every day. As time goes by it's getting harder'

their grief is lonely. There were relatively few others in Israel who could understand even their initial agony, the waves of hope that Guy was alive, the fear that he would be killed, and the desperation about the abuse and torture he faces.

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After two years, most of the other hostages have now come home or were killed inside Gaza either by their captors or Israeli forces. Only 20 are thought to still be alive, although militants are also holding 28 bodies, denying their families the closure of a burial.

“It’s so hard missing him all day every day, thinking about him all day every day,” Gal said. “And as time goes by it’s getting harder and harder [to bear], and harder and harder to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

There has been joy and pain in watching other hostages released. Bonded by the horror of having a loved one taken captive, many relatives describe themselves as a big family and Guy is no exception.

“You can’t not feel happy for them,” he says of watching dozens of reunions broadcast live. But the past two years have taken a heavy toll, forcing his little sister to grow up early and ageing his parents. So there is envy as well.

“I have to say the truth: I am honestly jealous seeing them reunited with their loved ones, seeing this nightmare has ended for them,” he said. “You see their tears of happiness and wish they were yours.”