After 738 long and harrowing days in Hamas captivity, the final 20 surviving hostages — all young and middle-aged men — were freed on Monday and reunited with their families. Their return marks the end of one chapter of heartbreak, though their families and the nation recognize that many wounds will take time to heal.
The 20 released hostages are Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Matan Angrest, Gali and Ziv Berman, Eitan Mor, Alon Ohel, Omri Miran, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Avinatan Or, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Elkana Bohbot, Evyatar David, Maxim Herkin, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen, Rom Braslavski, Segev Kalfon, and Yosef Chaim Ohana.
The Hostages Families Forum expressed both relief and determination. “Our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is located and returned for proper burial. This is our moral obligation. Only then will the people of Israel be whole.”
Alongside the announcement, the Forum released photos and personal stories of each of the men who were freed, detailing their lives before October 7 and the horrors they endured since.
Alon Ohel, 24, grew up in Lavon and has been immersed in music since childhood, playing piano and bass and composing his own works inspired by classical and jazz. His friends describe him as cheerful, outgoing, and full of life. He planned to begin studies at the Rimon School of Music in Tel Aviv after returning from a trip to the East. On October 7, Alon was at the Nova festival when the attack began; he and friends took shelter in Re’im and fought off grenades before being captured along with Eliya Cohen, Or Levy, and the late Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Eitan Avraham Mor, 25, from Kiryat Arba, lives in Jerusalem and works at a local café, where he’s known for his warmth and humor. He begins every morning jogging with his dog and often welcomes neighbors into his Nahlaot home. On Shabbos, he visits his parents in Kiryat Arba. On October 7, Eitan was part of the Nova festival’s security team, helping the wounded until his capture. Former hostage Ron Krivoy recalled that Eitan “never stopped smiling” and kept spirits high, saying, “You’ll see, we’ll get out of here, don’t despair.”
Gali Berman, 28, of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, worked with his twin brother Ziv at “Sincopa,” a sound and lighting company that lost four employees that day. The brothers loved soccer, playing on the “Kfar Aza Foxes” team and cheering for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Liverpool. On October 7, they were abducted from their kibbutz along with their friend Emily Damari.
Ziv Berman, also 28, was taken alongside his twin, Gali. Known affectionately as “Zivi,” he was the firstborn twin and often reminded his brother of that fact. Their father, who has Parkinson’s, structured treatments around their schedules. Friends describe Ziv as lively and compassionate, with a contagious laugh and endless optimism.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24, from Alfei Menashe, served in the SATIL unit and was passionate about Japanese culture. He studied the language and planned to travel to Japan to see the cherry blossoms. He loved fitness, drumming, and Maccabi Haifa soccer. Guy was taken from the Nova festival alongside his childhood friend Evyatar David.
Matan Angrest, 22, of Kiryat Bialik, is the eldest of four and known as a loyal friend with deep love for Israel. A Maccabi Haifa fan, he excelled as a soldier in Brigade 7, where he earned a commendation. On October 7, he was abducted from the Nahal Oz outpost while defending it, suffering brutal treatment in captivity according to witnesses.
Omri Miran, 47, a Shiatsu therapist from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, is remembered for his calm nature and love of sports, travel, and family. On October 7, terrorists broke into his home and seized him as his wife and young daughters looked on helplessly. His baby, Alma, just six months old then, has only known him through the photos and posters calling for his return.
Yosef Chaim Ohana, 25, of Kiryat Malachi, is known for his unwavering positivity and devotion to his family. When his mother struggled financially after a divorce, he left her money with a note that read: “Mom, never stop smiling.” During the Nova festival attack, Yosef and a friend treated the wounded before he was taken. He told others that day he “does not leave wounded in the field.”
Segev Kalfon, 27, from Dimona, once worked at his family’s bakery and later in finance. His family describes him as gentle and funny, with deep humility. On October 7, he was taken from the Nova festival. His family prayed and performed hafrashas challah weekly for his safe return.
Rom Braslavski, 21, from Jerusalem, grew up in Ma’ale Adumim. Known for his easy laugh and big heart, Rom worked security at the Nova festival and risked his life saving others before being taken. Fellow hostage Sasha Trupanov shared that Rom never lost faith, reciting Shema Yisrael and Modeh Ani daily even in captivity.
Nimrod Cohen, 21, from Rehovot, fought with his tank crew defending Kibbutz Nirim before being captured. His burned Rubik’s cube was later found inside the destroyed tank. He was the only survivor among his crew, whose other members fell in battle.
Matan Zangauker, 25, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, lived with his girlfriend Ilana, whom he planned to marry. His family calls him humble and dependable, a protector of his two younger sisters, including one with muscular dystrophy. Ilana was freed in the first hostage deal and has fought for his return ever since.
Maxim Herkin, 37, who immigrated from Ukraine to Tirat HaCarmel, was his family’s rock, caring for his mother and younger brother. Normally not one for parties, he went to Nova with friends who were killed, and he was kidnapped soon after.
Evyatar David, 24, from Kfar Saba, is a musician who plays both piano and guitar, often performing zemiros with his siblings. Sensitive and thoughtful, he dreamed of traveling the world and studying music production. He was taken from the Nova festival alongside his close friend Guy Gilboa-Dalal.
Elkana Bohbot, 36, of Mevasseret Zion, is a beloved husband and father, known for his generosity and energy. A well-known event producer, he stayed at Nova to help evacuate the wounded when he was seized. Dozens of survivors credit him with saving their lives.
Eitan Horn, 39, made aliyah as a teen through the Naale program and devoted his life to youth work and education. He served as a Jewish Agency emissary and taught at-risk teens. Eitan was kidnapped from his brother’s home in Nir Oz, where he was visiting on October 7. He and his brother Yair were held together until Yair’s release after 498 days.
David Cunio, 35, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, is an electrician and devoted family man. He fought to keep his family’s safe room door shut for hours before being captured. His wife and daughters were later freed after 52 days. His brother Ariel remains among those kidnapped.
Bar Kupershtein, 23, from Holon, served in the Nahal Brigade and volunteered for “Yadidim,” helping stranded motorists. When his father was paralyzed in a rescue mission accident, Bar stepped up to support the family. On October 7, he helped evacuate festival-goers before being kidnapped. His father relearned to speak to advocate for his son’s return.
Avinatan Or, 32, of Tel Aviv, holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and works at Nvidia. Known for his humor and loyalty, he was taken from the Nova festival with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was later rescued by the IDF.
Ariel Cunio, 28, of Kibbutz Nir Oz, works in hi-tech and loves astronomy, music, and travel. He was taken with his partner Arbel Yehoud, who was freed after 482 days. His brother David was also kidnapped that day.
The release of these twenty men closes one of the darkest chapters of the October 7 tragedy, but the fight to bring home the remaining hostages — alive and for burial — continues. As the Hostages Families Forum said, “Only then will the people of Israel be whole.”
