Twenty Israeli hostages are expected to be released from Gaza under a new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The captives, taken during Hamas’s unprecedented 7 October 2023 assault, represent a cross-section of Israeli society — soldiers, festival-goers, and civilians — many of whom have endured nearly two years in captivity. Below are the profiles of those due for release:
– Matan Angrest, 22
Sergeant Angrest was seized near the Gaza border while trying to prevent Hamas fighters from crossing into Israel close to the Nahal Oz base. The Kiryat Bialik native and Maccabi Haifa fan was captured from his tank. A family video released in April 2025 shows his abduction. His family had planned a Dubai trip to celebrate the end of his service.
– Gali and Ziv Berman, 28
The Berman twins were taken from the youth area of the Kfar Aza kibbutz, which was torched by Hamas militants. The brothers, who worked together in music production, were avid supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Liverpool FC. Their parents and older brother survived the onslaught.
– Elkana Bohbot, 36
A producer of the Supernova music festival, Bohbot was abducted along with friends Michael and Osher Waknin. Married to a Colombian woman and father of a son, he was also granted Colombian nationality posthumously in November 2023. His wife, Rebecca Gonzalez, received proof of life in February 2025. Bohbot appeared frail in a Hamas video released in May.
– Rom Braslavski, 21
Braslavski, an Israeli-German from Jerusalem, worked as a security guard at the Supernova festival. After helping others escape, he was captured. In August 2025, a video by Islamic Jihad showed him looking weak and speaking under duress.
– Nimrod Cohen, 21
Cohen was pulled from his tank near the Nahal Oz kibbutz in a Hamas video. His fellow soldiers were killed, and their remains taken to Gaza. Cohen’s parents have since become vocal advocates for the hostages’ release.
– David and Ariel Cunio, 35 and 28
The Israeli-Argentinian brothers were kidnapped from David’s home in the Nir Oz kibbutz after militants set the building ablaze. Six relatives have been freed since. David starred in the award-winning 2013 film Youth, alongside his twin brother Eitan, who escaped.
– Evyatar David, 24
David’s family learned of his abduction from a Telegram post showing him in torchlight. He was attending the Supernova festival and appeared severely malnourished in a Hamas video from August 2025.
– Guy Gilboa Dalal, 24
Abducted alongside Evyatar David, Dalal appeared in several Hamas videos throughout 2025. A lover of Japanese culture, he was studying the language and planned to visit Japan.
– Maxim Herkin, 37
The Israeli-Russian national was taken from the Supernova festival. Hamas later released footage showing him injured and bandaged.
– Eitan Horn, 39
Horn was abducted with his brother from the Nir Oz kibbutz. A youth educator, he was seized from his home in Kfar Saba. His brother was freed in February 2025.
– Segev Kalfon, 27
Kalfon, from Dimona, was captured while fleeing the Supernova festival. A released hostage confirmed his presence in captivity.
– Bar Kuperstein, 23
An army nurse, Kuperstein remained to help the wounded at Supernova before being taken. His father, disabled in an accident, has been campaigning for his return.
– Omri Miran, 48
The Israeli-Hungarian masseur was kidnapped from Nahal Oz in front of his wife and daughters. He appeared in two Hamas videos urging for a hostage deal.
– Eitan Mor, 25
Security guard Mor, from Kiryat Arba, was abducted at Supernova. His father founded the Forum of Hope, opposing negotiations with Hamas.
– Yosef Haim Ohana, 25
A barman at the festival, Ohana was captured while helping the injured. He appeared in a video alongside fellow hostage Elkana Bohbot.
– Alon Ohel, 24
The talented pianist, who held Serbian and German citizenship, was taken from Supernova. His family received proof of life from other hostages early in 2025.
– Avinatan Or, 32
The dual British-Israeli citizen was abducted with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, who was rescued in 2024. He studied engineering in Beersheba.
– Matan Zangauker, 25
Zangauker was taken from his home in Nir Oz with his girlfriend, who was released in November 2023. His mother and girlfriend have since become advocates for hostage freedom.
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