A dog that was abducted during Hamas’s October 7 assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz has been safely recovered by Israeli troops in southern Gaza. The dog, a three-and-a-half-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Billy, was found by Israeli reservist Aviad Shapira during a military operation in Rafah.
Billy belongs to Rachel Dancyg, whose ex-husband Alex Dancyg was taken hostage and killed in captivity. Shapira, who has served over 300 days in Gaza since the onset of the war, described how Billy ran up to him while his unit was operating in the area. After taking care of the dog for four days, Shapira brought Billy back to Israel, where the two spent Passover together with his family.
Upon returning, Shapira took the dog to a veterinarian, who used a microchip implant to confirm that Billy belonged to the Dancyg family. Rachel Dancyg’s son-in-law, Yaron Maor, expressed profound disbelief and joy upon learning of Billy’s survival. He told Ynet, “We’re in total shock. We never thought she would make it. We got another dog of the same breed for the kids, and now the two dogs live together with us. It’s a miracle.”
Billy is expected to be reunited with the Dancyg family on Wednesday, bringing a moment of hope amidst the devastation caused by the conflict.