Who are the twenty hostages who were released from Gaza?

During the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, 251 people were kidnapped and taken across the border into Gaza. Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the remaining hostages were finally released on Monday, after more than two years in captivity.

After their release, Israel began releasing some of the approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, many of whom are serving life sentences in Israeli prisons. These are the names and stories of the hostages who were released on Monday:

Alon Ohel (24) – A musician and pianist, O’Hale was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival and dragged from a shelter where he was hiding among the wounded and dead. His parents, prominent advocates for the return of hostages, placed dozens of them Piano All over Israel with the message "You are not alone." In 2024, his mother Aidit Ohel organized a concert for him on the Gaza border. she told NPR, "I know he is alive because he was taken alive, and I know he is alive because I am a mother."

Ariel (28) and David (35) Cuneo – Brothers from Kibbutz Nir Oz, who were kidnapped on October 7 with their children Wives and children. While their families were released in previous deals, the brothers remained in captivity. In July 2025, their mother Sylvia said: "I always try to stay optimistic because there is no other way… I want them all to come home."

Avenatan Or (32) — The second of seven siblings, he holds a degree in electrical and computer engineering and works in high technology. He was kidnapped from the Nova Festival with his partner, Noa forced me, Who was rescued by Israeli forces last year. Footage of their kidnapping, showing Hamas gunmen separating them, became a defining image of the October 7 attacks. In March 2025, the released hostages delivered a life sign from him to his family.

Bar Kupperstein (23) — The eldest son among five siblings and the main breadwinner for the family after his father became disabled, and he was kidnapped to Gaza while working at the Nova Festival. A motorcycle enthusiast, he was last seen in a Hamas video in April 2025 alongside hostage Maxime Harkin.

Elkana Bohbut (36) He was working at the Nova Music Festival when he was kidnapped. Several videos of him in captivity have surfaced, most recently in May 2025. Three months ago, his mother told Gali Tsahal (Army Radio): "I don’t want to hear any more talk, I just want to see the headline, “We’ve signed the deal.” I’m exhausted of promises. I lost my mind, and my optimism. My body can’t take it anymore."

Eitan Horn (39) He was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz with his brother Yair, who was released earlier this year. Eitan, a non-formal education specialist, had spent part of his captivity with Yair, and the brothers reportedly escaped through tunnels during Israeli air strikes. Yair’s release in February 2025 brought relief to the family, but left them extremely worried for Eitan.

Etan Moore (25) He is the eldest of eight siblings. He worked as a barista and dreamed of opening his own café. He was kidnapped from the Nova Festival where he worked as a security guard. The released hostages described him as a morale booster and he even confronted the kidnappers on behalf of others. His family in Kiryat Arba has publicly opposed settlement deals with Hamas, arguing that they put Israelis at risk in the long term.

Eviatar David (24)— He worked as a café manager and was planning a trip to Southeast Asia. He was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival with his friend Guy Gilboa Dalal. In August 2025, Hamas released videos showing him emaciated, digging his own grave on its orders, speaking under duress, and urging the Israeli prime minister to agree to a ceasefire. The footage sparked anger and dismay across Israel.

Gali Berman and Zev Berman (28)– Twin brothers from Kibbutz Kfar Azza, who were kidnapped from their home on October 7. They are fans of football and travel, run a sound and lighting company together and recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica. The released hostages reported that as of February 2025, the brothers were alive but being held apart, the longest period they had ever spent apart, according to their older brother Liran.

Guy Gilboa Dalal (24) – A Japanese cartoon and anime fan who was planning to travel to Japan was kidnapped from the Nova Festival on October 7 with his best friend Eviatar David. His brother Gall managed to escape. In February 2025, Hamas released a video showing them witnessing the release of their friends. The released hostages reported that Guy suffered severe abuse and starvation, which left him in extremely poor physical and mental condition.

Maxim is the most sensitive (35) – A dual Israeli-Russian and an immigrant from Ukraine, he was kidnapped from the Nova Festival, where two of his close friends were killed. A father of a daughter in Russia with a partner in Israel, he sent a text message to his mother "I love you" The day he was kidnapped, he has not been contacted since. In May 2025, Hamas published a video showing him looking pale and thin. His mother told Israeli media: "Until I get my son back, I won’t say thank you."

Mattan Angrist (22) The soldier was captured when Hamas attacked his tank near the Gaza border fence. He is a sports and football fan, and was abused and interrogated by Hamas activists, according to the released hostages. His last known appearance was in a video published by Hamas in March 2025.

Women of arms (25) He was kidnapped from his home on Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his partner Ilana Gretzowski, who was released in November 2023. The couple worked on a medical cannabis farm on the kibbutz, and their home was among the first to be targeted by Hamas on October 7. Matan’s mother, who raised him and his two sisters single-handedly, became a leading voice for hostage families and was chosen as one of the BBC’s correspondents. 100 women for 2024.

Nimrod Cohen (20) A soldier was taken from his tank during the October 7 attacks near Kibbutz Nirim near the border with Gaza. He was 19 years old at the time. Hamas published footage of his capture, and the released hostages later confirmed that he was alive, although he was in poor physical and mental condition. A nature lover who enjoys hiking and video games, his mother, Vicki, he wrote on social media After the ceasefire: "Baby, you’re coming home."

Omri Miran (48) – The shiatsu therapist and master gardener at Kibbutz Nir Oz was kidnapped from his home in Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, in front of his wife and two daughters. Hamas later published footage of his kidnapping. His father, Danny Miran, the oldest living hostage still held in Gaza, has become a leading advocate for hostage release. Speaking to NPR last week, he said: "I feel on top of the world, as if my son has been born again."

Rom Braslavski (21) A soldier from Jerusalem working as a security guard at the Nova Festival was kidnapped after helping others escape, his family said. In April 2025, the Islamic Jihad movement published a video clip showing him emaciated and in poor health. Contact with him was lost in July, but Israeli officials believe he is still alive. His parents were leading the votes in the hostage family movement.

Segev Calvon (27) – Calvon was kidnapped while trying to escape from Hamas gunmen at the Nova Music Festival. A friend later told his family that gunmen approached their car and detained Segev, a finance student in Tel Aviv who had been diagnosed with severe anxiety just weeks earlier after a car accident. His mother fears for his health, saying he is deprived of vital medications.

Yosef Haim Ohana (25) – Nadel, the eldest son of a single mother who helped support her, loves cycling, camping and hiking. He was kidnapped from the Nova Festival after risking his life to help others escape the attack. The released hostages later reported seeing him alive, and in May 2025, Hamas released a video showing him alongside fellow hostage Elkana Bushbot.

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