Hostages Held in Gaza Set to Be Freed Following Ceasefire Agreement
After more than 700 days in captivity, the 20 hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza are expected to be released in the coming days following an approved ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
They were among the 251 people taken during the 7 October attacks on southern Israel, where militants led by Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people.
Under the agreement, Hamas is anticipated to free the living hostages within 72 hours. In exchange, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving long prison sentences, along with 1,700 others detained in Gaza during the conflict.
Another 26 hostages are presumed dead, while the status of two remains unknown. Hamas has stated that recovering deceased captives may take more time than releasing survivors.
Here are details about some of those who may soon return home.
Matan Angrest, 22
In June, Angrest’s family shared footage showing the Israeli soldier being seized from a tank by a group of men at the Nahal Oz military base on 7 October 2023.
“For me as a mother, it’s the hardest thing to watch,” Anat Angrest told a news outlet, explaining she had released the video due to concerns her son had been neglected by authorities.
Gali Berman and Ziv Berman, 28
The twin brothers were taken hostage at Kfar Aza kibbutz, near the Gaza border.
Speaking to *CuriosityNews* a month after their abduction, their older brother Liran Berman said their lives had been irrevocably changed. “We had our lives before October 7, and now we don’t know what comes next,” he said. “Even if my brothers return, the scars will last forever.”
Elkana Bohbot, 36
Bohbot was captured at the Nova music festival during the 7 October attacks. Reports indicate he stayed behind to aid the wounded before being taken.
In May, he was identified in a video released by Hamas’s armed wing, appearing under duress as he pleaded to be reunited with his wife and son, fearing for his life under ongoing bombardment.
Rom Braslavski, 21
Braslavski was also abducted from the Nova festival, where he had been working as a security guard. His family was later informed he had helped save several people before being captured.
In April, he appeared in a video filmed in Gaza, appearing severely weakened and distressed, drawing widespread criticism.
Nimrod Cohen, 20
Cohen, an Israeli soldier, was stationed near the Nirim kibbutz when his unit was overwhelmed by attackers, according to his father, Yehuda Cohen.
With news of the ceasefire, his father expressed relief but concern. “This should have happened sooner. Let these next three days pass without any disruptions,” he said.
Ariel Cunio, 28, and David Cunio, 35
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