A pet dog kidnapped during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel has been rescued by an Israeli soldier almost 18 months after it was dragged into Gaza.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Billie (female) was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel by Hamas gunmen as they stalked through the settlement and slaughtered Israeli civilians.
Billie belongs to Rachel Dancyg, the ex-wife of Alex Dancyg who was one of several Israeli hostages to die in captivity after being kidnapped by Hamas.
Rachel assumed her dog was also killed amid the brutal attack on Nir Oz.
But the three-and-a-half-year-old hound miraculously reappeared in Gaza last week nearly a year and a half after its abduction.
Aviad Shapira, an Israeli reservist operating in southern Gaza, said the dog bounded up to him as his unit was clearing buildings near the city of Rafah.
Shapira took the dog with his unit for four days before he was able to return to Israel, at which point he took Billie to a veterinarian.
The vet found the dog had been given a microchip implant, and further investigation revealed its owners were the Dancyg family.
That shock discovery set the stage for a surprise reunion. The family were delighted to see Billie, who hastened up to a teary Rachel and the kids as they greeted him in the street.
Rachel later embraced soldier Shapira and thanked him for recovering the family pooch.
An Israeli reservist operating in southern Gaza explained how the dog bounded up to him as his unit was clearing buildings near the city of Rafah. An Israeli soldier is pictured holding Billie
The dog was returned to its owners today
Billie is seen greeting the family who thought their dog was killed on October 7
The three-and-a-half year old hound miraculously reappeared in Gaza last week nearly a year and a half after its abduction
Soldiers snap pictures with the spaniel
Billie's return to the Dancyg family was heralded as a 'miracle from heaven' by Rachel's son-in-law Yaron Maor, who told Israeli media about the reunion.
'We are in complete shock and overwhelmed with emotion to see her tomorrow. We didn't believe she had survived.
'We got the kids another dog of the same breed. Now the two dogs will live together with us.
'It's a miracle from heaven,' he concluded.
Rachel Dancyg hugs the soldier who found her dog in Rafah
Soldiers snap pictures with the spaniel
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14617923/Pet-dog-kidnapped-Hamas-October-7-rescued-Gaza-Billy-Cavalier-King-Charless-owners-praise-miracle-returned-Israel.html
