Former Gaza hostage Guy Illouz was laid to rest in Ra’anana on Wednesday after being returned during phase one of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.
"How do you eulogize a son and a beloved child?" Guy's father, Michel Illouz, said.
"My Guychuk, it’s hard to see and imagine the future without you. They took you from me – Hamas 'returns' body of Gazan in IDF uniform in place of fallen hostage – they took me and stole my identity, murdering my soul and heart."
"Rest now, my darling," Michel said. "Rest after two years of traveling through worlds unfamiliar to us. I love you, my Guychuk, my beloved firstborn son."
Guy Illouz: A wonderful melody
Guy Illouz was kidnapped at the Nova music festival massacre in Re'im on October 7, 2023, and was murdered during Hamas captivity in Gaza, where his remains were held for some two years.
The IDF informed the family of his death on December 1, 2023, 56 days after his capture and subsequent kidnapping into Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
He was 26 at the time of his murder.
Illouz was a music and sound technician who took part in the festival and worked with prominent Israeli musicians, including Shalom Hanoch, Matti Caspi, and the band HaYehudim.