Freed Israeli Hostages: What They Endured in Captivity and How They Survived

With the January 2025 hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas underway, details are emerging about the horrific conditions endured by living freed hostages during their captivity.

Below are the profiles of the freed hostages and the known hardships they endured during their 15-months of captivity.

Additional profiles will be added upon their release from captivity. A total of 33 hostages are scheduled to be released in the first phase of the Israel-Hamas hostage and ceasefire agreement. 

Emily Damari

Emily Damari, a British-Israeli national, was abducted by Hamas terrorists from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7, 2023, attacks. Before her abduction, Emily lived a quiet life in the kibbutz, a community located near the Gaza border. During the assault, she sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to comfort her dying dog, which the terrorists had shot. Tragically, as a result of her injuries, she lost two fingers. Emily's story has resonated deeply, as it reflects both her profound love for animals and the indiscriminate violence of the attack.

During her 471 days in captivity, Emily endured severe conditions, including confinement in underground tunnels with little access to daylight, fresh air, or basic necessities. Despite these challenges, she demonstrated extraordinary compassion, reportedly asking her captors to release her neighbor, Keith Siegel, before her own release. Upon being freed, Emily expressed immense relief, saying, "I came back to life." 

Her mother, Mandy Damari, described the reunion as an "incredibly happy moment for our family" but emphasized the ongoing plight of other hostages, urging that "the ceasefire must continue and every last hostage must be returned to their families." 

Doron Steinbrecher

Doron Steinbrecher, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was abducted from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza—near Gaza's north-western border—during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Known for her dedication to animal care and active involvement in the kibbutz community, Doron's sudden capture was a profound shock to those who knew her.

During her 471-day captivity, Doron, who suffered from a chronic condition that required daily medical care, faced significant hardships. She and the other hostages she was held with were often confined to underground spaces, deprived of natural light for extended periods. While she occasionally received medical attention, one of the hostages she was held with recounted undergoing a medical procedure without anesthesia. The hostages were sometimes held together but were also separated at times, intensifying their isolation. 

Upon her release on January 19, 2025, she was joyfully reunited with her family and friends. The moment of reconnection was deeply emotional. Doron’s close friend, Meitar Yaakobi, described their first video call, recalling how Doron expressed disbelief that the day of her release had finally arrived. "She mentioned that there were days when she didn’t think this day would come," Yaakobi said in an interview with an Israeli radio station.

“We have a long road ahead of us, especially for Doron, but we will persist in advocating for the swift return of all remaining hostages,” Doron’s father, Roni, said in a media interview. 

Romi Gonen

Romi Gonen, a 24-year-old Israeli woman from Kfar Vradim, is known for her love of dancing, traveling, and enjoying life. Friends and family described her as "energetic, funny, family-oriented, and full of life." She worked as a waitress at Chez Vivie restaurant in Tel Aviv and was one of five siblings.

On October 7, 2023, Romi attended the Nova music festival near the Gaza border. During the surprise attack by Hamas terrorists, she attempted to flee but was shot in the hand before being abducted and taken to Gaza.

During her 471 days in captivity, Romi endured harsh conditions, including confinement without daylight. She was moved between various locations and was exposed to news broadcasts from Israel. Her family received news about her condition from a previously released hostage who said that “she was alive and in desperate need of medical attention for a gunshot wound to her hand.”

In the days leading up to her and the other female hostages' release, her Hamas captors allowed her to shower, change clothes, and provided better food. This was part of a shrewd propaganda move by Hamas. Despite these slight improvements, she suffered from untreated injuries and signs of malnutrition.

Romi’s sister Yarden shared some details of what her sister went through during captivity. 

“Over the course of 471 days our Romi went through hell,” Yarden said. Romi’s “gunshot wound from that cursed day wasn’t properly treated, and every day, up to and including today, she suffers pain and significant damage to the function of her arm. And despite this, as was said, she came out victorious, and said: ‘Dad! I came home!’”

Upon her release on January 19, 2025, she expressed her relief by sharing a photo with her mother and captioning it, "There is life after death."

Karina Ariev

Karina Ariev, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier, was stationed at the Nahal Oz army base near the Gaza border when Hamas abducted her on October 7, 2023, alongside five other female soldiers. Over the next 477 days in captivity, Karina endured severe conditions, including food deprivation, forced labor, and isolation. A video released in January 2024 showed her and other hostages, providing signs of life to their families. In her final message before contact was lost, she told her sister, “They’re here,” as gunfire echoed in the background. Her sister Alexandra recalled, "She was scared, crying, she was in panic."

Karina was released on January 25, 2025, as part of the hostage release agreement, alongside three other female soldiers: Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy. Before being handed over to the Red Cross, the women were forced to walk across a Gaza City square in quasi-military uniforms, flanked by Hamas terrorists. Despite the intimidating scene, Karina and the others remained calm, telling their families, “It had no impact on us; we are stronger than them.” Karina was among the hostages who faced extreme isolation and long periods without medical care, and was forced to cook and clean for Hamas terrorists. 

Before being taken hostage by Hamas terrorists, Karina was known for her creativity, talent as a flute player, and passion for cooking, dancing, and writing. Fluent in four languages, she also volunteered at a kindergarten, reflecting her love for children. After her release, her family described her as a “symbol of courage, heart, and determination.” “After 477 tumultuous days of pain, worry, and endless anxiety – we finally got to embrace our beloved Karina, hear her voice, and see her smile that once again fills us with light," they said.

Daniella Gilboa

Daniella Gilboa, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier, was stationed at the Nahal Oz army base near the Gaza border when Hamas abducted her on October 7, 2023, alongside five other female soldiers. Before her abduction, Daniella was known for her enthusiasm for music, playing the piano, and her warm, friendly demeanor.

During her 477 days in captivity, Daniella endured harsh conditions, confined in underground tunnels with little light, no fresh air, and scarce access to basic necessities. News was limited, mostly from Al Jazeera and radio broadcasts. “Daniella saw what was happening here; she knew they were fighting for her,” said Inbar Dadon, the mother of her boyfriend, Roi Dadon. “They saw the families, the mothers. Her mother is a lioness who led an amazing process until she held her again in her arms.”

Daniella's aunt, Eti Schwartz, revealed, “She ate just one or two pita breads a day until their stomachs swelled. Sometimes they cooked but wouldn’t eat. She was in a tunnel, in the dark, but they were together—that was their luck.”

Her aunt also shared that she had a bullet in her leg that had not been removed during captivity. 

Hamas also cruelly faked Daniella’s death while in captivity. The terror group claimed she had died in an Israeli airstrike as they published an image of her in a white funeral kafan or burial shroud.  

In her final days of captivity, as the four female soldiers were prepared for release, they were allowed to bathe and change clothes, but the physical toll of her captivity was evident. Her family was relieved to see her return, but Daniella herself described the ordeal as a constant battle for survival. “The hardest part was not knowing what would happen next, not knowing if I’d ever see my family again,” she said upon her release. Daniella is now recovering, and receiving medical care and psychological support. Her boyfriend, Roi, who she had dated since 7th grade, proposed to her following her release. 

Naama Levy

Naama Levy, a 20-year-old Israeli surveillance soldier, was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during the attack on the Nahal Oz military base near the Gaza border. Levy, who was raised in India at an American school, is a triathlete and soccer lover and volunteered at a kindergarten for children of asylum seekers. 

A widely circulated video from October 7, 2023, showed Naama Levy in a black shirt and blood-soaked gray sweatpants, being dragged from a Jeep by an armed terrorist. Her ankles had been slashed, and she struggled to walk, visibly wounded from her violent abduction. The footage turned Levy into a symbol of the suffering endured by female hostages and the brutality of Hamas' attack.

She spent 477 days in captivity, enduring harsh conditions, including long periods of isolation and confinement in underground tunnels. Reflecting on her ordeal in a social media post after her release on January 25, 2025, she shared, “For the first 50 days after October 7, I was alone most of the time, and after that, I was in captivity with my friends… who gave me strength and hope.” Levy expressed relief and gratitude, writing, “I’m home. After 477 days, I’m finally home. I am safe and protected, surrounded by family, and I’m feeling better every day.” She also called for the return of the remaining hostages, including her fellow soldier Agam Berger, saying, “We are waiting for Agam and the rest of the hostages to be able to complete the process of recovery.” Ending on a note of appreciation, she added, “While I was still in captivity, I saw how you were fighting for me. Thank you, everyone, I love you.”

Liri Albag

Liri Albag, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier from Matan in the southern Sharon region, loves the sea, nature, and travel. Her friends and family shared that she has a passion for design and fashion, boasting an impressive collection of shoes, enjoyed critiquing restaurants and often found herself behind the camera.

On October 7, 2023, while serving as a surveillance soldier at the Nahal Oz military base near the Gaza border, Liri was abducted by Hamas terrorists during a surprise attack along with five other female soldiers. She was held captive in Gaza for 477 days under harsh conditions, including confinement in dark tunnels with minimal light and fresh air. Despite the adversity, Liri emerged as a leader among the hostages, often communicating with Hamas terrorists on behalf of her fellow hostages. 

Freed hostage Amit Soussana credited Liri Albag with saving her life in captivity, revealing in an interview that Albag convinced their Hamas captors she was not an IDF officer. Soussana recounted how she was bound, beaten, and threatened at gunpoint by a guard who told her, “You have 40 minutes to tell us the truth, or else I kill you.” Albag intervened, persuading the captors that Soussana was not a soldier. “I told her when she came back: ‘I don’t know if they would have killed me or not; as far as I’m concerned, you saved my life,’” Soussana said.

In December 2024, Hamas released a propaganda video featuring Liri. Her family said at the time that the video “has torn our heart to pieces. This is not the daughter and sister we know. She is not well - her severe psychological distress is evident.”

Her mother, Shira Albag, observed, "She's not the same girl—she's very frightened, her eyes are hollow." She added, "My Liri has always been self-confident, fearless, strong—I saw that she was extremely pale, that she has lost a ton of weight… I saw the black under her eyes, I saw that she hadn’t seen daylight in a long time."

Liri was released on January 25, 2025, along with three other female Israeli soldiers. 

Despite the trauma, Liri's resilience and leadership during captivity have been a source of pride and inspiration for her family and community.

Agam Berger

Agam Berger, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier, was serving as a surveillance observer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) when she was abducted by Hamas during their brutal October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. Stationed at the Nahal Oz base near the Gaza border, she was among the female soldiers responsible for monitoring security threats and providing intelligence to protect Israeli communities. When Hamas terrorists overran the base, massacring many of her fellow soldiers, Agam was taken hostage and transported into Gaza. Her abduction, along with other young female soldiers, became a symbol of the horrors of that day.

During her 482-day captivity, Agam endured extreme hardship in Gaza. She was held in dire conditions with little access to food, medical care, or basic hygiene. Despite the deprivation, she became a source of quiet strength for those around her. In November 2023, when a temporary ceasefire allowed for the release of some hostages, Agam braided the hair of the young girls before they left, offering them a final moment of comfort. "Agam braided our hair before we left. It felt like she was giving us a piece of her strength to carry with us,” one former hostage recalled. Even under immense pressure, she remained steadfast in her faith, refusing to eat non-kosher meat despite severely limited access to food.

Reports indicate that Agam, held alongside Liri, defied her captors' orders to move into the tunnels and was instead kept above ground in harsh conditions. She and other hostages were forced to cook for their captors but were denied the food themselves. Throughout her captivity, she was moved between at least ten different locations.

On January 30, 2025, Agam was released alone in Jabalia, northern Gaza, as part of a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. Before reaching the Red Cross, she was subjected to a humiliating propaganda display—dressed in a mock IDF uniform, handed a Hamas "gift bag" and certificate, and forced to wave to a crowd of onlookers. Once safely in Israeli hands, she shared a powerful message: "I chose the path of faith, and with the path of faith, I have returned—thank you to all the people of Israel and our heroic IDF soldiers. There is no one like you in the world!" Her release marked the end of a painful ordeal, and her family expressed deep gratitude, saying, “Now Agam and our family can begin the healing process.”

Arbel Yehoud

Arbel Yehoud, a 29-year-old Israeli civilian, was abducted by Hamas terrorists from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023, massacre. A dedicated and beloved member of her community, she is known for her kindness and deep-rooted connection to her kibbutz, which suffered devastating losses in the attack. Along with dozens of others from her kibbutz, she was forcibly taken into Gaza, where she endured 482 days of captivity under brutal conditions.

Throughout her captivity in Gaza, Arbel faced extreme deprivation, including a lack of food, medical care, and access to basic hygiene. It was reported that while many hostages were held in pairs or groups, Arbel was held alone. On January 30, 2025, she was freed as part of a negotiated hostage exchange. However, before reaching the Red Cross, she and fellow hostage Gadi Moses were forced to walk through an enraged mob of Hamas supporters, surrounded by masked gunmen in a chaotic and humiliating display.

Following her return to Israel, her family expressed overwhelming relief, calling her homecoming a miracle. “Arbel never lost hope, and neither did we,” they said in a statement. 

Gadi Moses

Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old Israeli grandfather, was one of the oldest hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. A resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, he was violently kidnapped from his home during the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault. The attack on Nir Oz was one of the deadliest, with over a quarter of its residents either murdered or taken hostage. Gadi, a devoted family man and longtime member of the kibbutz, is known for his love of storytelling and his deep connection to Israeli history and culture.

During his 482 days in captivity, Gadi endured the brutal realities of being held by Hamas, including malnutrition, isolation, and psychological torment. 

He said that he spent 70 days in total isolation, pacing 7 kilometers daily in a tiny two-square-meter room, solving math problems to stay sharp. His captors eventually gave him glasses, allowing him to read two books, and he endured meager conditions, including limited water for washing and severe weight loss, losing some 15 kilograms. At some points, he said, he feared his captors would execute him. While he knew his partner, Efrat Katz, had been killed on October 7, he did not learn his daughter, Moran, survived until he was released. 

His release on January 30, 2025, alongside Arbel Yehoud, was overshadowed by the chaos of the handover. Hamas terrorists forced him to walk through a hostile crowd, using him as a propaganda tool before he was finally handed over to the Red Cross. His frail condition was evident, yet his spirit remained unbroken.

Following his return, Gadi's family expressed immense gratitude while emphasizing the need for the remaining hostages to be freed. “We are relieved beyond words, but our fight is not over until every hostage is home,” they said. His ordeal and survival have reinforced the urgency of Israel’s efforts to secure the release of those still in Hamas captivity.

Yarden Bibas

Yarden Bibas, a 35-year-old welder and father of two, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, separately from his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons, Ariel (then 4, now 5) and Kfir (then 9 months, now 2), the youngest hostages taken. During the Hamas assault on Nir Oz, Yarden tried to protect his family as terrorists breached their home, using drills to force their way into the safe room where they were hiding. As the intruders broke in, Yarden sent a final chilling message to his family: "This feels like the end."

Known for his kind eyes, big smile, and good humor, he loved music and stand-up comedy. Footage released in April 2024 confirmed he was alive but bloodied during his capture, and he endured 484 days of brutal captivity, including confinement in tunnel cages, before his release on February 1, 2025, while his family's fate remains unknown. After his release, Yarden expressed his gratitude: “I thank all the people of Israel for their support and help. I heard from my family that you fought for me.” He added, “Thank you very much—I deeply appreciate it. It is not taken for granted,” before ending with a heartfelt message: “Happy birthday, Grandpa.”

During his 484-day captivity, Yarden Bibas was subjected to severe psychological and physical abuse by his Hamas captors, including being forced to film a propaganda video after they falsely told him his wife and children had been killed. Held in cages and repeatedly beaten, he was also tormented with constant talk about his family's fate, yet he clung to hope, drawing strength from the campaign for the hostages' return. He was moved between homes and tunnels in Khan Younis, learning Arabic to communicate with his captors and fellow hostages.

The IDF confirmed through secured footage that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were taken to Gaza alive and detained in Khan Yunis by the Mujahedeen Brigades, a terrorist group operating in Gaza that participated in the October 7 Hamas-led attacks. Israel has repeatedly demanded information on their whereabouts from Hamas and hostage mediators, with hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch stating, “The Bibas family has been living in constant fear for their lives… We continue to demand information about their condition from the mediators.”

Yarden's family expressed both joy and sorrow at his release, urging the public to remember that he returns without his wife and children. "Yarden is home. After 15 long months, a quarter of our heart has returned. The relief of holding him, embracing him, and hearing his voice is indescribable—but our home remains incomplete."

"Yarden is a father who left his safe room to protect his family, survived captivity with bravery, and now faces an unbearable reality."

"At this time, we ask that you protect Yarden and his soul. Please respect his privacy and allow him the space to heal, both physically and emotionally."

Keith Siegel

Keith Siegel, 65, originally from North Carolina, moved to Israel 40 years ago. He met Aviva, a kindergarten teacher originally from South Africa, and fell in love. They lived on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, close to the Gaza border, where he worked as an occupational therapist.

Keith’s 97-year-old mother, Gladys, passed away in December 2024 at an assisted-living facility in North Carolina, while Keith was still being held hostage in Gaza. The family chose to shield her from the knowledge of his captivity prior to her death.

In a social media post, Keith’s daughter, Elan Siegel, shared: “My grandmother passed away yesterday morning. My father’s mother is gone, and he couldn’t say goodbye to her because he’s been held captive by Hamas for over a year. Dad won’t be able to stand with us at the cemetery tomorrow or say goodbye to the woman who raised and loved him his entire life.”

Keith has four children of his own and five grandchildren. He is a calm person and an optimist and loves the outdoors.

On October 7, he and his wife were taken hostage and driven to Gaza in their car with a neighbor and her two children. Aviva was released on November 26 as part of a hostage-release deal. Keith remains, his ribs broken from being captured on October 7, his wife said.

“My parents have an innate faith in the goodness of humankind,” his daughter Elan wrote on Fox News. “That is why, even after living through decades of conflict, they believe that peace can be reality … Their worldview can be summed up in the conviction that love of humanity will always defeat hatred.”

Keith was released on February 1, 2025 as part of the Israel-Hamas hostage agreement. In a statement, his family celebrated his return to Israel, expressing "indescribable excitement" as he set foot on Israeli soil.

“At this very moment, our father is back in the Land of Israel, and we are filled with indescribable joy,” a statement from the Hostage Families Forum reads on behalf of the family.

"After 484 long, terrifying days and nights, we can finally breathe again," they said, thanking the Israeli and U.S. governments. “Thank you, President Trump, for bringing our father home. There are still 79 hostages waiting to be reunited with their families. Our hope rests with you.”

AJC has been honored to help Keith and Aviva’s family members, and Aviva since her release, in raising the plight of all the hostages. Aviva has been a fierce advocate and an inspiration throughout this horrific journey.

Ofer Kalderon

Ofer Kalderon, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz and father of four, was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during the attack that devastated the area. Along with him, two of his children, Sahar, 16, and Erez, 12, were also taken captive. While the children were released in November 2023 as part of a temporary ceasefire, Ofer was held for over a year under harrowing conditions.

After enduring what his family describes as "a nightmare" for months, Ofer was finally freed, alongside Yarden Bibas, on February 1, 2025, as part of the Israel-Hamas hostage agreement. His family expressed "indescribable joy, relief, and emotion" upon his return, with a statement released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum praising his strength and resilience. They highlighted how, despite the unimaginable circumstances, Ofer managed to hold onto hope and survive, driven by the desire to reunite with his children.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Kalderon’s release after “unimaginable hell” and called on the remaining French citizen, Ohad Yahlomi, to be freed. Ofer is a dual French and Israeli citizen.

In the midst of their celebration, the family also expressed solidarity with the remaining hostages, emphasizing the urgency of securing the release of the 79 hostages still in captivity, stating, “We have no right to stop until all 79 hostages return home—whether for rehabilitation or burial.”
 

Eli Sharabi

Eli Sharabi, a 52-year-old resident of Kibbutz Be'eri in southern Israel, was abducted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023, attacks. On that tragic day, his wife, Lianne, 48, and daughters, Yahel, 16, and Noya, 13, were murdered in their home's safe room, and Sharabi was taken captive along with his brother, Yossi. Yossi was later confirmed dead, and Hamas is reportedly holding his body.

“When we found out Yossi was murdered, I said to myself: we failed. When Eli comes home, I’ll say we succeeded,” Sharon Sharabi, Eli’s brother, told Israeli media. But the joy of his release is overshadowed by the heartbreak of what awaits him. “I don’t think there’s any chance he knows Yossi didn’t survive,” Sharon added. “When he comes back and finds out, his world is going to shatter all over again.” 

As his family prepares for his return, their mission is clear: to support him through unimaginable grief and help him rebuild his life from the ruins.

Photos and videos from Eli's release showed him looking frail, thin, and barely able to walk.

Or Levy

Or Levy, 34, was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, during the attack on the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im. His wife, Einav, was murdered in the assault, and their three-year-old son, Almog, has been living with his grandparents since. The couple had just arrived at the festival when sirens blared, forcing them to flee. They took shelter in what became known as the "death shelter," where Einav was killed. Her body was found four days later.

Before being taken, Or made one final call to his parents, telling his mother, “Mom, you don’t want to know what’s going on here.” Footage later confirmed he was taken to Gaza in relatively good condition, alongside the murdered American-Israeli captive Hersh Goldberg-Polin. His brother Michael has spoken about the unimaginable trauma Or endured, witnessing his wife’s murder and being held in Hamas tunnels. Almog, devastated by the loss of his parents, reportedly bursts into tears at the mention of “mom” and “dad” and constantly asks when he can go home. 

Or was released alongside Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami on February 8, 2025, marking 491 days in captivity. This release is part of a hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, which includes the exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Photos and videos during his release showed Or looking gaunt and unsteady on his feet. Tal Levy, Or's borther, told Channel 12 news in Israel that his brother “looks very, very thin, and it’s indeed very difficult to see him,” but “he’s coming back and he’ll recover.”

Ohad Ben Ami

Ohad Ben Ami, a 56-year-old Israeli and German citizen, was captured by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, during their brutal assault on southern Israel. Ben Ami was abducted from Be'eri, one of the hardest-hit communities, while his wife, Raz, was also taken. She was later released as part of a ceasefire agreement in November 2023. 

Their daughters, Ela and Natalie, were in contact with their parents throughout the ordeal until the moment they were kidnapped. Ela, who was at Be'eri, managed to survive, while Natalie, living nearby at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, also communicated with her parents up until their abduction.

Ben Ami's last message to his family on WhatsApp read, "Shma Yisrael, they’re here," quoting a foundational Jewish prayer. Two weeks later, a photo of him emerged on social media showing him in a T-shirt and underwear, being dragged by a terrorist. Ben Ami’s expected release is part of the ongoing hostage exchange agreement, offering hope for his family and signaling a potential step toward bringing all hostages home.

Ohad Ben Ami was released alongside Eli Sharabi and Or Levy on February 8, 2025, marking 491 days in captivity. This release is part of a hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, which includes the exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Michal Cohen, Ben Ami mother, said she was devastated to see her son look unwell.

“He looks terrible. He is 57, but he looks ten years older. It is so sad for me to see him like this,” she remarked to Channel 12 news.

Alexander "Sasha" Troufanov

Alexander "Sasha" Troufanov, a 29-year-old Russian-Israeli electrical engineer working for Amazon Web Services (AWS), was among those taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. Captured alongside his girlfriend, Sapir Cohen, his mother, Lena, and his grandmother, Irina, he endured 498 days in captivity, while his father, Vitaly, was killed in the assault. His female relatives were released in November 2023, but Sasha remained held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad until his release on February 15, 2025, as part of a ceasefire deal exchanging three Israeli hostages for 369 Palestinian prisoners.

Following his release, Sasha was reunited with his family at Sheba Medical Center. Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov met with him, providing a new Russian passport and highlighting Russia's role in securing his freedom.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expressed deep relief at Sasha's return, revealing that the company had quietly supported efforts for his release. Amazon had faced criticism for its silence during his captivity, a decision it defended as necessary to avoid disrupting negotiations.

Yair Horn

Yair Horn, a 46-year-old Israeli-Argentine, was among those abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. Born and raised in Argentina, he immigrated to Israel in 1999 with the Habonim Dror youth movement. At Nir Oz, he managed a community pub, organized events, and worked in renovations and construction while also performing as a stand-up comedian and radio broadcaster. A devoted Hapoel Beersheba soccer fan, he was well-known in the community.

Yair was captured alongside his brother, Eitan, who had been visiting him. While Yair endured 498 days in captivity, Eitan remains a hostage. Yair was released on February 15, 2025, as part of a ceasefire deal that saw three Israeli hostages exchanged for 369 Palestinian prisoners.

Upon his release, he requested that his Israeli Air Force helicopter fly over Turner Stadium, home of his beloved Hapoel Beersheba. In his first public statement, he stressed the urgency of rescuing those still held captive: "I was there, I was in Hamas tunnels, I experienced it in my own body. The hostages don't have time, we don't have time. We must bring them back now."

Reunited with his family, Yair continues to call for action, while his brother’s fate remains uncertain.

Sagui Dekel-Chen

Sagui Dekel-Chen, a 36-year-old Israeli-American, was working in Kibbutz Nir Oz’s machine shop when the October 7, 2023, attack began. After ensuring his pregnant wife, Avital, and their two daughters were safely in their home’s secure room, he confronted the terrorists and was taken captive.

Held in a Gaza hospital for 498 days, Sagui endured torture and harsh conditions, all while believing his family had perished. He mourned them in captivity but held onto hope. Only two days before his release did he learn they had survived.

On February 15, 2025, he was freed as part of a ceasefire agreement exchanging three Israeli hostages for 369 Palestinian prisoners. Reuniting with his wife and daughters at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv, he met his youngest child, born during his captivity, for the first time. It was only upon returning home that he learned her name: Shahar Mazal—'Dawn' and 'Gift.'

While overjoyed to be home, Sagui and his family have refrained from public celebrations, remaining mindful of those still held hostage.

Omer Wenkert

Omer Wenkert, 23, was among the hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on the Nova music festival, where Hamas terrorists killed hundreds and abducted dozens into Gaza. In his final message to his parents that morning, he said, "I'm scared to death," before their contact was cut off at 7:50 a.m.

Held captive for 505 days, Omer Wenkert endured brutal and inhumane conditions. He was held alongside Tal Shoham, who was also released with him. Throughout most of their captivity, they were severely starved, only receiving increased food shortly before their release to improve their appearance. Wenkert lost 66 pounds during his ordeal.

Suffering from colitis, he was denied medical treatment, worsening his health. He recounted to his family that he was severely beaten when first abducted. Unlike some hostages, he remained unaware of the demonstrations advocating for their release and only learned after his return that his close friend, Kim Demati, who had been with him at the Nova festival, was murdered by terrorists on October 7.

Upon his release on February 22, 2025, as part of a negotiated deal, he reunited with his family in Israel. In a lighthearted moment, he handed his mother a piece of halva, joking it was from Gaza’s “duty-free shop.”

Since his return, Wenkert has been receiving medical treatment. His family and doctors continue to monitor his physical and psychological recovery, helping him adjust after more than a year in captivity.

Omer Shem Tov 

Omer Shem Tov, 22, escaped the massacre at the Nova Music Festival with his friends Itay and Maya Regev with the help of Ori Danino.  But Hamas terrorists later kidnapped all four of them to Gaza. Maya and Itay were released in November 2023. Ori was murdered in 2024. 

Omer remained in captivity where he was kept alone in a tunnel for most of the time. Terrorists disguised him as a Muslim woman and lowered him into a tunnel in a bucket. He was spat upon and cursed. He also was denied medical treatment for his asthma and celiac disease.

Alone for 450 days, he told his mother that he dreamed of riding with his father on his motorcycle and being able to lay his head on this mother's lap and have her stroke his hair. 

After being ordered to kiss the heads of two Hamas fighters during his release and blow kisses to the audience, he said he only breathed again when he was finally handed over to IDF forces.

Eliya Cohen

Eliya Cohen, 27, had recently bought a ring to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Ziv Abud. Together, they escaped the Nova Music Festival and hid in a roadside shelter. 

Eliya was shot and dragged away by Hamas terrorists. A video of his abduction showed him being taken in the bed of a truck with three other hostages, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Or Levy. Ziv was left for dead.

Eliya only learned when he was freed that Ziv survived under a pile of dead bodies. 

During his more than 500 days of captivity, Eliya underwent surgery to remove bullets without anesthesia, given only a piece of cloth to bite and forbidden from making a sound during the procedure. 

Eliya spent time in captivity with Almog Sarusi, who was murdered with five other hostages last August. He also was held in a tunnel with recently freed Israelis Eli Sharabi and Or Levy. Hostage Alon Ohel was there too, and remains. 

After a rescue mission in June 2024 that freed four hostages, Hamas terrorists chained Cohen to other abductees. When they were finally unchained in the weeks leading up their release, the hostages had to “learn to walk again.” Captors also fed Eliya large amounts of food to improve his appearance.   

Tal Shoham

Tal Shoham, 40, an Austrian-Israeli-Italian citizen, was taken hostage on October 7 with six other relatives during a visit to Kibbutz Be’eri where they were visiting his children’s grandmother for Simchat Torah. They were hiding in a safe room when they were abducted. The home in which they were staying was burned to the ground. Tal’s phone was later found in Gaza.

His 3-year-old daughter Naveh and 8-year-old son Yahel left their father behind when the rest of the family was released in November 2023. Shoham was forced to make a speech on Hamas's makeshift stage in Rafah before he and another hostage Avera Mengistu were handed to the Red Cross. 

Avera Mengistu

Avera Mengistu, 38, entered Gaza from the Zikim beach in September 2014. His family had not heard from him since until the Hamas terror group circulated a video of him alive in early 2023. 

In that video, he asked, clearly coerced by Hamas, why the state of Israel had abandoned him and not fought for his return. Hamas also used Avera’s case to sow division in Israel by posting on social media that only Ashkenazi lives mattered in Israel. 

Kan public broadcasting reported that Avera appeared to return from captivity in fine physical shape, but not in a good mental state. He was barely communicating.

Avera immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with his family at age five as part of Operation Solomon, an Israeli military operation to airlift Ethiopian Jews to Israel in May 1991. But after his brother died, his mental health deteriorated, and he was exempted from military service.

Hisham al-Sayed

In June 2022, Hamas released a disturbing video of Bedouin hostage Hisham al-Sayed lying in a bed and wearing an oxygen mask. It was the first image of the captive that anyone had seen in seven years. 

Hamas terrorists abducted Hisham, 34, after he entered Gaza near the Erez Crossing in April 2015. His family tried to secure his release multiple times over the past decade, including sending messages to leading Muslim clerics in Gaza. 

Though he briefly served in the military before being discharged, Hisham has a diagnosed history of mental issues, including a 2010 diagnosis of “acute psychotic disorder” and a 2013 diagnosis of schizophrenia. He returned from 10 years of captivity unable to talk.

“His mental condition is in a bad state, he doesn’t communicate, and he looks like he was in a torture camp for 10 years,” his father Sha’ban al-Sayed told Kan radio. “We didn’t think to ourselves that Hamas would be so cruel.”