Dog's Survival in Gaza Brings Bittersweet Reunion to Israeli Family

Rachel Dancyg, a resident of Binyamina, Israel, experienced a profound loss following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Her ex-husband and brother were abducted and killed from Kibbutz Nir Oz. She believed her dog, Billie, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, had also perished.

The family received an unexpected call on Tuesday night from a soldier who had found Billie alive in Gaza. This news was met with disbelief and joy. The reunion, occurring 18 months after the attack, offered a rare moment of happiness amidst the ongoing conflict.

The attack on Nir Oz was particularly devastating, with a significant portion of the community either killed or captured. The circumstances of Billie's survival remain unclear. Dancyg had hidden in a safe room with her family during the attack, leaving no opportunity to find the dog.

Billie was found in Rafah, Gaza, approximately nine miles from the kibbutz. The soldier who found her reported that she immediately bonded with his troops, possibly due to their use of Hebrew. He located the family's contact information through a chip implanted in the dog.

While Billie appeared happy to be home, she also seemed disoriented and had lost weight. The return of the dog was a small source of comfort for Dancyg, but the ongoing situation, including the remaining hostages in Gaza, continues to weigh heavily on her. The community of Nir Oz acknowledged the reunion as a small glimmer of hope amidst their grief.