A person walks previous a billboard bearing the portraits of Israelis held hostage within the Gaza Strip by Palestinian militants since Oct.2023.
AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP by way of Getty photos
cover caption
toggle caption
AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP by way of Getty photos
TEL AVIV, Israel — Throughout Hamas’s assaults on Israel on Oct. 7, 251 individuals had been kidnapped. After greater than two years, Israeli officers report that of the 48 remaining Israeli and international hostages, 20 are nonetheless believed to be alive. They’re anticipated to be launched on Monday below a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. These are their names and their tales:
Alon Ohel (24) — a musician and pianist, Ohel was kidnapped from the Nova music competition, dragged from a shelter the place he was hiding among the many wounded and lifeless. His mother and father, outstanding advocates for the hostages’ return, positioned dozens of pianos throughout Israel with the message “You aren’t alone.” In 2024, his mom, Idit Ohel, organized a live performance for him on the Gaza border. She told NPR, “I do know that he is alive as a result of he was taken alive, and I do know that he is alive as a result of I am a mom.”
Ariel (28) and David (35) Cunio — brothers from Kibbutz Nir Oz, had been kidnapped on Oct.7 together with their wives and children. Whereas their households had been freed in earlier offers, the brothers remained in captivity. In July 2025, their mom, Sylvia, mentioned: “I at all times attempt to keep optimistic as a result of there is no different manner… I simply need all of them house.”
Avinatan Or (32) — the second of seven siblings, holds a level in electrical and laptop engineering and labored in high-tech. He was kidnapped from the Nova competition along with his companion, Noa Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli forces final yr. Footage of their abduction, exhibiting Hamas gunmen separating them, turned a defining picture of the Oct.7 assaults. In March 2025, launched hostages delivered an indication of life from him to his household.
Bar Kupershtein (23) — the eldest of 5 siblings and the household’s important breadwinner after his father turned disabled, was kidnapped to Gaza whereas working on the Nova competition. Enthusiastic about bikes, he was final seen in a Hamas video in April 2025 alongside hostage Maksim Harkin
Elkana Bohbot (36) — was working on the Nova music competition when he was kidnapped. A number of movies of him in captivity have surfaced, the latest in Could 2025. Three months in the past, his mom instructed Galei Tzahal (Military Radio): “I do not wish to hear any extra speak—I simply wish to see the headline, ‘We signed the deal.’ I am exhausted from guarantees. I’ve misplaced my sanity, my optimism. My physique cannot take it anymore.”
Eitan Horn (39) — was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his brother Yair, who was launched earlier this yr. An off-the-cuff training skilled, Eitan spent a part of his captivity with Yair, and the brothers reportedly fled via tunnels throughout Israeli airstrikes. Yair’s launch in February 2025 introduced reduction to the household, however left them deeply anxious for Eitan.
Eitan Mor (25) — the eldest of eight siblings, he labored as a barista and dreamed of opening his personal café. He was kidnapped from the Nova competition, the place he labored as a safety guard. Launched hostages described him as a morale booster who even confronted captors on behalf of others. His household in Kiryat Arba has publicly opposed compromise offers with Hamas, arguing they endanger Israelis long-term.
Evyatar David (24)— labored as a café shift supervisor and was planning a visit to Southeast Asia. He was kidnapped from the Nova music competition alongside his buddy Man Gilboa Dalal. In Aug. 2025, Hamas launched movies exhibiting him emaciated, digging his personal grave below their orders, and, talking below duress, urging the Israeli Prime Minister to comply with a ceasefire. The footage sparked outrage and dismay throughout Israel.
Twins maintain portraits of Gali and Ziv Berman, who had been taken by Palestinian militants on the Oct. 7 assault and since held hostage within the Gaza Strip, throughout a rally calling for his or her launch, within the Israeli coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv.
JACK GUEZ/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
cover caption
toggle caption
JACK GUEZ/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Gali Berman and Ziv Berman (28)— twin brothers from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, had been kidnapped from their house on Oct. 7. Lovers of soccer and journey, they ran a sound and lighting firm collectively and had just lately returned from a visit to Costa Rica. Launched hostages reported that as of Feb. 2025, the brothers had been alive however being held individually—the longest time that they had ever spent aside, based on their older brother Liran.
Man Gilboa-Dalal (24) — an animation and Japanese anime fanatic who had deliberate to journey to Japan, was kidnapped from the Nova competition on Oct. 7 alongside his shut buddy Evyatar David. His brother Gal, managed to escape. In Feb. 2025, Hamas launched a video exhibiting them witnessing their pals’ launch. Launched hostages reported that Man endured extreme abuse and hunger, leaving him in extraordinarily poor bodily and psychological situation.
Michel Illouz (L), father of Man Illouz, and Ilan Dalal, father of hostage Man Gilboa Dalal (R), embrace and react subsequent to protestors cheering and holding indicators that learn, “they’re coming house” in Hostages Sq., Tel Aviv, on Oct. eleventh
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Pictures Europe
cover caption
toggle caption
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Pictures Europe
Maxim Herkin (35) — an Israel-Russian twin nationwide and immigrant from Ukraine, was kidnapped from the Nova competition, the place two of his shut pals had been killed. A father to a daughter in Russia and with a companion in Israel, he texted his mom “I really like you” the day he was taken and has had no contact since. In Could 2025, Hamas launched a video exhibiting him pale and skinny. His mom instructed Israeli media, “Till I get my son again, I will not say thanks.”
Matan Angrest (22) —the soldier was captured when his tank was attacked by Hamas close to the Gaza perimeter fence. A sports activities and soccer fanatic, he reportedly endured abuse and interrogations by Hamas operatives, based on launched hostages. His final identified look was in a Hamas video launched in March 2025.
Matan Zangauker (25) -was kidnapped from his house at Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside along with his companion, Ilana Gritzewsky, who was launched in Nov. 2023. The couple labored on the kibbutz’s medical hashish farm, and their house was among the many first focused by Hamas on Oct. 7. Matan’s mom, who raised him and his two sisters alone, has turn into a number one voice for the hostages’ households and was named one of many BBC’s 100 Women of 2024.
Nimrod Cohen (20) – a soldier taken from his tank through the Oct. 7 assaults close to the Nirim kibbutz near the border with Gaza. He was 19 on the time. Hamas launched footage of his seize, and launched hostages later confirmed he’s alive, although in poor bodily and psychological situation. A nature lover who enjoys climbing and video video games, his mom, Viki, wrote on social media after the ceasefire: “My little one, you’re coming house.”
Omri Miran (48) – a shiatsu therapist and head gardener at Kibbutz Nir Oz, was kidnapped from his house in Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, in entrance of his spouse and two daughters. Hamas later launched footage of his kidnapping. The oldest dwelling hostage nonetheless held in Gaza, his father, Dani Miran, has turn into a number one advocate for the hostages’ launch. Talking to NPR final week, he mentioned, “I really feel on prime of the world—as if my son has been born once more.”
Rom Braslavski (21) – a soldier from Jerusalem working as a safety guard on the Nova competition, was kidnapped after serving to others escape, his household mentioned. In April 2025, Islamic Jihad launched a video exhibiting him emaciated and unwell. Contact with him was misplaced in July, however Israeli officers consider he’s nonetheless alive. His mother and father have been main voices within the hostages’ household’s motion.
Segev Kalfon (27) – Kalfon was kidnapped whereas attempting to flee Hamas gunmen on the Nova music competition. A buddy later instructed his household that militants approached their automobile and seized Segev, a Tel Aviv finance pupil who had been identified with extreme nervousness simply weeks earlier after a automobile accident. His mom fears for his well being, saying he is been denied important medicine.
Yosef Chaim Ohana (25) – a bartender and the eldest son of a single mom he helped assist, loves biking, tenting, and climbing. He was kidnapped from the Nova competition after risking his life to assist others escape the assault. Launched hostages later reported seeing him alive, and in Could 2025 Hamas launched a video exhibiting him alongside fellow hostage Elkana Buchbut.
