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In a significant development on Monday, Hamas returned all 20 living Israeli hostages as part of the initial stage of a peace agreement facilitated by the Trump administration.
On the same day, Israel released over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, marking a key step towards ending hostilities in Gaza. As part of this ceasefire agreement, Hamas also committed to returning the remains of 28 deceased hostages, who were among the 251 individuals abducted on October 7, 2023.
The following provides insights into the 20 surviving hostages, with details sourced from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Alon Ohel was taken from a bomb shelter during the Nova music festival, along with Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American who was subsequently killed by Hamas. Ohel, a pianist, had intended to pursue jazz studies at the Rimon School of Music in Ramat HaSharon before his abduction. He also holds German and Serbian citizenship, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledging his release in a post on social platform X.
Ariel and David Cunio
The two brothers, 28 and 35, respectively, were abducted from their homes in the Nir Oz kibbutz. Ariel’s partner, Arbel Yehoud; David’s wife, Sharon; and their two daughters, Emma and Yuli, were also abducted but were previously released. Ariel is a quality assurance manager at an IT company. David is an electrical engineer who also appeared in the 2013 film “The Youth” alongside his twin brother Eitan.
Or, 32, was abducted with his partner, Noa Argamani, at the Nova music festival. Argamani was rescued in June 2024 as part of an Israeli operation that resulted in the deaths of 274 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Or is an electronics engineer who also volunteered with children in an oncology department.
Kupershtein, 23, was abducted from the Nova music festival. He served in the 933rd Nahal Brigade of the Israeli military. His father, Tal, was a volunteer for United Hatzalah, an emergency medical services organization in Israel. After Tal was injured by a car while volunteering, Bar Kupershtein ran the family falafel business and volunteered for the group. While Bar was taken hostage, Tal learned to talk and walk again.
Bohbot, 36, was abducted from the Nova music festival, where he worked as a logistics coordinator. A resident of Mevaseret Zion, Bohbot has a 5-year-old son, Re’em. He is “always the first to lend a helping hand to anyone in need,” according to the forum.
Horn, 39, was abducted from his brother Iair’s house in Nir Oz. Iair, who was also abducted, was released in February. Eitan, an educator, immigrated to Israel from Argentina through the Immigrant Youth Before Parents program in 2002.
Mor, 25, was abducted from the Nova music festival, where he was on the security team. Born and raised in Kiryat Arba, he is the eldest brother of seven siblings. Mor reportedly helped evacuate wounded people at the Nova festival before he was abducted.
David, 24, was abducted from the Nova music festival. A resident of Kfar Saba, David was a guitarist and gymnast. Hamas released a video of David in August in which he looked so emaciated that his brother described him as a “human skeleton.”
Gali and Ziv Berman
The 28-year-old twin brothers were abducted separately, with Gali being taken from Emily Damari’s house in the Kfar Aza kibbutz and Ziv taken from his house at the kibbutz. Damari was also taken hostage alongside Gali, before being released this past January. Both are German citizens, with Merz celebrating their release. The twins are avid soccer fans who work as light and sound technicians at Sincopa and enjoy traveling around the world together.
Gilboa-Dalal, 24, was abducted from the Nova music festival and seen in a video released last month by Hamas. Before Oct. 7, 2023, Gilboa-Dalal learned to write, read and speak Japanese. He is a musician and soccer fan. He was friends with Evyatar David and attended the festival with his brother, Gal Gilboa-Dalal, who survived.
Harkin, 37, was abducted from the Nova music festival. A resident of Tirat HaCarmel, he immigrated to Israel from Ukraine with his mother and brother. He has a daughter, Monica.
Sgt. Maj. Matan Angrest
Angrest, a tank driver in the Israeli military, was abducted in battle. His family released video of his capture in an effort to draw attention to his case. Other hostages said he was tortured and abused by Hamas operatives.
Zangauker, 25, was abducted from is home in Nir Oz alongside his partner, Ilana Gritzewsky, who was released after 55 days. Nicknamed “Ton-Ton” by his mother, Einav, Zangauker is a “father figure” to his younger sisters, Natalie and Shani. The forum said he dreams of marrying Ilana and building a house with her in Nir Oz.
Cohen, 20, was serving as a gunner in the seventh brigade of the Israeli military when he was abducted in battle. He was the sole survivor among his tank crew, as Capt. Omer Neutra and Sgts. Oz Daniel and Shaked Dahan were abducted to Gaza and died.
Miran, 48, was abducted from his home in the Nahal Oz kibbutz. Hamas militants held his wife, Lishay Miran-Lavi, and daughters, Roni and Alma, hostage in their neighbor’s kitchen and broadcasted it on Facebook Live. Miran and Tsachi Idan, the father of the neighboring family, were then kidnapped. Idan was later killed by Hamas, with his body returned in February. Upon arriving at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Miran waved at his family.
Braslavski, 21, a musician and fan of techno parties, was abducted from the Nova music festival, where he was working security. Based on witness testimonies, he saved dozens before being kidnapped. He appeared weak and thin in a video released by Hamas ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad in August, raising alarm from other former hostages.
Kalfon, 27, was abducted from the Nova music festival. A resident of Dimona, he worked in the family bakery with his father and was building a career in finance. He had reportedly been diagnosed with severe anxiety just weeks earlier after a car accident.
Ohana, 25, was abducted while trying to flee the Nova music festival. He had also tried to help others escape. He grew up in Kiryat Malachi, before moving closer to Tel Aviv to specialize in bar management. In May, Hamas released a video showing him and fellow hostage Elkana Buchbut.
