Former Gaza hostage Daniella Gilboa signs music deal, will collect royalties for videos and lyrics

Former Israeli hostage Daniella Gilboa recently signed with Acum, a nonprofit company that represents artists, composers and musicians, giving her the opportunity to collect royalties from her music and videos. 

Gilboa spent 477 days in captivity in Gaza and was released by Hamas in a public ceremony earlier this year, along with fellow soldiers Agam Berger, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, and Naama Levy.

She is now a well-known Israeli songwriter who wrote, “Ulay Tipatach HaDelet” (“Maybe the Door will Open”), performed by Eden Ben Zaken, a three-time winner of “Singer of the Year” in Israel.

The song was written by Gilboa and two friends, Yam Glass and Aviv Hajaj, before the Hamas attacks. Glass and Hajaj both perished in the massacre.

Gilboa herself had, prior to her abduction, recorded a video of the song that was widely circulated and viewed throughout her captivity, bringing attention to the plight of the Gaza hostages. Now she will benefit financially from those broadcasts, as well as any future music she releases.

“Making music has always been healing for me,” Gilboa stated. “And now that I’m released, I’m so happy to take another important step in my musical journey, which constitutes such a meaningful part of my life." 

Acum CEO Assaf Nahuom welcomed Gilboa and her mother, Orly, who had tirelessly sought her daughter’s release for over a year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Daniella Gilboa, who survived the horrors in Gaza alongside her heroic fellow lookouts,” he said.

“Daniella is beginning a new path as a creator. Acum, which protects the rights of thousands of Israeli artists, is proud to have her join, and we look forward to hearing her future work. We wish her success and continue to pray for the return of all the hostages."