Gelienor “Jimmy” Leano Pacheco, 34, is a Philippines-born caregiver who worked for an elderly man on Kibbutz Nir Oz and was abducted during Hamas’s October 7 massacre, then released in the November 2023 hostage deal.
His love for Israel remained strong even after his return to his home country – so much so that his newborn daughter was named in its honor.
On Tuesday, Pacheco’s wife, Clarice, gave birth to a daughter. The couple named the baby Israela. The name was given as a tribute to the nation that protected them, according to friends of the couple who shared the story on social media.
Nearly two years ago, Pacheco was abducted after the man he cared for, Amitai Ben Zvi, 80, was murdered in his home amid the October 7 massacre.
“When they took me, I never expected they’d bring me back alive,” Pacheco said after he was freed in the first ceasefire in late November 2023.
Pacheco fought to survive for his family
Throughout his captivity, Pacheco fought to survive for his family. He shared after his release that out of desperation, he had turned to any food option he could, including eating toilet paper dampened by water on the walls. He did this in order to survive long enough to see his three children again.
Kibbutz Nir Oz’s community lost many people when over 100 residents and some 15 foreign agricultural workers were killed in the massacre, according to the IDF. About 80 more were taken captive, with many others still remaining in captivity almost two years later.
Pacheco said that though he is overjoyed about the birth of his daughter, he’s still distraught due to the current state of the war.
“I am still not 100% happy because there are still hostages. True happiness will only come after their release,” Pacheco told The Jerusalem Post.
He thanked the people of Israel for their prayers and Kibbutz Nir Oz for remaining a strong supporter during his imprisonment and afterward.
Pacheco also wanted to send a message of hope to the families of the remaining hostages, saying that he kept them in his daily prayers since his release.
He also told the Post about his name choice for their baby girl, which he said emphasized his deep connection to the State of Israel.
“I chose the name Israela because I love the Land of Israel and the people of Israel. And every time I call her by her name, I will feel like I am still in the country,” he said.
“We didn’t hope to have another child because of all the pressure and pain I went through on October 7 during the 49 days I was a hostage, and in the rehabilitation process since then. We didn’t think we would get Israela.”
Now, against all odds, a fourth child is added to his family, with a name that honors her second homeland.