In Israel, faces of civilians and soldiers alike appear prominently on posters at every corner, their expressions a haunting reminder of pain and longing. These individuals have become more than mere statistics; their stories are told by anguished family members who have made them as familiar to the public as movie stars.
As the recent conflict marks its two-year milestone since Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, it is critical to reflect on the lives affected. Nearly 1,200 people lost their lives that day, with over 250 individuals kidnapped.
Among those captured, the Nova music festival stands out tragically, having been the site where almost 400 attendees were killed and many more were taken hostage. In the wake of this devastation, the ongoing struggle for their return continues to resonate with families and communities across Israel.
Currently, there are 48 hostages still held in Gaza, a mix of soldiers and civilians, with some tragically confirmed deceased. Israel has reported that at least 25 of these hostages were either killed during the initial attack or have died in captivity. Amidst this despair, however, hope remains that the start of a new ceasefire could pave the way for more hostages to be released as part of a complex exchange deal.
The looming release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. Here, we delve into the lives of those believed to still be alive, highlighting their stories and the families advocating for their return.
**Matan Angrest, 22**
Matan Angrest, a soldier hailing from Kiryat Bialik near Haifa, was abducted from his military tank. As the eldest son among four siblings, his absence is profoundly felt, with his family remaining vocal in protests to demand action for his release.
During a recent rally commemorating the two-year anniversary of the attack, his mother, Anat Angrest, expressed her heartbreak, addressing her son with tearful words, “I know you’re in pain, and I can’t hug you. I hear you whisper, ‘Come for me, Mom,’ and I can’t protect you.”
**Gali Berman & Ziv Berman, 28**
The twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman were taken from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the horrific attack on October 7. Among the 19 others abducted from their kibbutz, they are the last two still in captivity.
Reports from former captives indicate that while they were alive in February, they were being held separately, a source of deep concern for their family. Liran Berman, their older brother, noted the significant impact of their separation, as they had previously lived just across from one another.
**Elkana Bohbot, 36**
Kidnapped from the Nova music festival, Elkana Bohbot has been seen in multiple heart-wrenching videos released by Hamas. In one, filmed under duress, Bohbot pleads with family members for rescue. His young son Reem, has been left yearning for his father, often using binoculars he crafted in kindergarten to look for him.
**Rom Braslavski, 21**
Rom Braslavski was serving as a security guard at the Nova festival and was injured while attempting to help festival-goers evacuate. Witnesses described his abduction after he was wounded in both hands. In a disturbing video released by Islamic Jihad, a frail Braslavski is seen begging for his life, shocking many in Israel and leading to heightened public protests.
**Nimrod Cohen, 21**
A soldier kidnapped from his tank, Nimrod Cohen was seen in videos being dragged by Hamas along with three other soldiers, all of whom were killed. The memory of Cohen’s love for Rubik’s cubes helps his family remember him fondly amid their pain.
**Ariel Cunio, 28**
Ariel Cunio was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz alongside his girlfriend, Arbel Yehoud. At the time, they had just returned from a trip to South America and had adopted a puppy, further emphasizing the normality of life before tragedy struck.
**David Cunio, 35**
David Cunio was kidnapped with his wife Sharon and their three young twins, who have had to celebrate their birthdays without their father. The pain of separation is keenly felt, with Sharon sharing that the girls have changed so much during his absence that they are no longer the same little girls he knew.
**Evyatar David, 24**
Evyatar David was taken hostage at the Nova music festival along with his close friend. Released videos captured David’s harrowing condition and pleas for freedom, leading to significant public outcry for a ceasefire deal.
**Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24**
In a traumatic turn of events, Guy Gilboa-Dalal was abducted from the Nova festival while his brother managed to escape. His family has endured immense suffering, seeing his two videos released by Hamas pleading for freedom alongside his friend.
**Maxim Herkin, 37**
Maxim Herkin was abducted during his first music festival. Originally from Ukraine, he had built a life in Israel, leaving behind his young daughter and family who depend on him. His last text message to his mother was simply, “I love you.”
**Eitan Horn, 38**
Eitan Horn found himself captured during a visit to his brother, during which both siblings were taken hostage. Their shared suffering in captivity became publicly known after Horn’s brother was released and began to advocate vigorously for Eitan’s freedom.
**Segev Kalfon, 27**
Segev Kalfon’s last moments before captivity were spent trying to flee from militants after working at the Nova music festival. Having newly faced an anxiety disorder, his family has made religious appeals for his safe return, highlighting the mental toll this ordeal has taken.
**Bar Kuperstein, 23**
As a security guard at Nova, Bar Kuperstein stayed behind to assist those injured, ultimately leading to his own abduction. He had taken on a significant financial responsibility for his family following an accident that left his father severely injured.
**Omri Miran, 48**
Omri Miran was kidnapped alongside fellow hostages from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, where terrorists threatened his family as part of a broadcast on social media. His wife describes the heartbreaking reality, where their youngest daughter knows her father solely through photographs.
**Eitan Mor, 25**
Eitan Mor worked as a security guard during the Nova festival, actively helping others evacuate before his kidnapping. His parents established the Tikva Forum, advocating for military pressure instead of an immediate ceasefire for the sake of hostages, revealing the division within families on how best to approach their loved ones’ release.
**Yosef-Haim Ohana, 25**
Yosef-Haim Ohana was taken from his position as a bartender at the festival, reported trying to assist those escaping from the violence before he was captured.
**Alon Ohel, 24**
Alon Ohel, who holds dual citizenship, was captured at the Nova music festival. His family has been proactive, placing pianos for awareness of his plight while grappling with dire updates regarding his health in captivity.
**Avinatan Or, 32**
Avinatan Or was taken alongside his girlfriend during their time at the festival, with their story becoming widely recognized after a heart-wrenching video circulated showing the couple during the initial attack. His family actively participates in advocacy efforts for the hostages’ release.
**Matan Zangauker, 25**
Matan Zangauker was also abducted during the assault, alongside his girlfriend Ilana Gritzewsky. She managed to escape but has tirelessly campaigned for Matan’s safe return, becoming a prominent voice in the protest movement, particularly notable after her impassioned speeches.
As it stands, the ceasefire agreement includes the return of 20 living hostages along with the bodies of 28 others, an indication of the ongoing pain and sorrow inflicted by this conflict.
The inclusion of the deceased signifies both a closure and an unresolved anguish for families who have continued to advocate for their loved ones, embodying the broader human cost of this war that has resonated throughout Israel.
Bipin Joshi, a Nepali national and student, was among the hostages taken merely a month after arriving in Israel. He demonstrated remarkable courage during the ordeal but has remained captive along with 10 of his fellow students who were also victims of the assault.
Family members of Joshi have rallied extensively for his release, traveling long distances to seek aid and bring attention to his case, reflecting the desperation and heartache that accompanies each story of loss and hope.
Tamir Nimrodi, another hostage taken from Gaza’s Erez crossing, has had no confirmed signs of life for two years. His mother’s anguish encompasses the fear of what might have happened to her son, revealing the human toll of uncertainty amid conflict.
In the heart of Israel, as families continue their search for answers, the hope for a resolution remains a flicker of light amid escalating darkness, echoing the need for solidarity and compassion as the fight for peace and the return of the hostages continues.
image source from：timesofisrael
