Twenty Israeli hostages were released from Gaza on Monday, October 13, 2025, as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Their release marks a rare moment of relief in a two-year conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, widely considered the deadliest in Israeli history.
Among the freed are young musicians, festival staff, soldiers, and civilians, each with a harrowing story of survival. Here’s what we know about the people behind the headlines.
Who are the 20 hostages released by Hamas?
These individuals were taken during the October 7 attacks, primarily from the Supernova music festival, nearby kibbutzim like Nir Oz and Kfar Aza, and along the Gaza border. Many endured nearly two years of brutal conditions. Several hold dual citizenships, highlighting the international implications of the hostage crisis.
1. Matan Angrest, Tank Sergeant, Age 21
Captured near Nahal Oz just days before finishing his military service, Angrest was attempting to stop Hamas fighters from breaching the border. His abduction resonated deeply in Israel, where military service is mandatory and personal.
2. Gali and Ziv Berman, Twin Brothers, Age 28
The Israeli-German musicians were taken from Kfar Aza, where their family home was torched. Their return brings joy tempered by the memory of the destruction they escaped.
3. Elkana Bohbot, Supernova Producer, Age 36
Captured at the Supernova festival, Bohbot reappeared in a May 2025 Hamas video, visibly weakened. He is married with a young son.
4. Rom Braslavski, Security Guard, Age 21
Also taken from Supernova, Rom—of Israeli-German descent—chose to stay behind and help others escape. Videos released by Islamic Jihad in August showed his frail condition.
5. Nimrod Cohen, Tank Crewman, Age 21
Dragged from a disabled tank near Nahal Oz, Cohen was taken after his fellow soldiers were killed. His parents became prominent advocates for hostage release, spearheading national campaigns.
6–7. David and Ariel Cunio, Brothers, Ages 35 & 28
The Israeli-Argentinian siblings were taken from Nir Oz with six relatives. The others were released earlier; David and Ariel remained in captivity until now.
8–9. Evyatar David & Guy Gilboa Dalal, Childhood Friends, Age 24
Both were taken from Supernova and appeared in Hamas propaganda videos. Their suffering was severe—David faced starvation and isolation, while Guy experienced dehydration that impaired his speech and hearing.
10. Maxim Herkin, Festivalgoer, Age 37
An Israeli-Russian father, Herkin was seen injured in videos released in spring 2025. His wife and child endured months of uncertainty as Hamas teased fragments of proof he was alive.
11. Eitan Horn, Educator, Age 39
Kidnapped from Nir Oz with his brother (released earlier), Horn struggled with a chronic skin condition worsened by the lack of medical care in captivity. A dual Israeli-Argentinian citizen, his case drew attention from Latin American media.
12. Segev Kalfon, Finance Student, Age 27
Captured while hiding near Route 232 after fleeing Supernova, Kalfon worked at his family’s bakery in Dimona before the war.
13. Bar Kuperstein, Nurse and Festival Volunteer, Age 23
A video of Bar surfaced early in captivity showing him handcuffed with a rope around his neck—an image that came to symbolize the dehumanizing conditions hostages endured.
14. Omri Miran, Therapist, Age 48
Taken from his home in front of his family, Miran was seen in Hamas videos pleading for a deal. A dual Israeli-Hungarian national, he became a public voice for those still trapped in Gaza.
“I have been here in Hamas captivity for 202 days. The situation is unpleasant, difficult, and there are many bombs,” Miran said in one video.
15. Eitan Mor, Security Guard, Age 25
Kidnapped at Supernova, Mor’s father founded the Forum of Hope, a group of hostage families opposing any ceasefire that didn’t secure their loved ones’ release.
16. Yosef Haim Ohana, Festival Volunteer, Age 25
Ohana stayed behind to help the wounded during the Hamas attack. His rescue is one of the few positive turns in a tragic day remembered for its chaos and bloodshed.
17. Alon Ohel, Pianist, Age 24
With German and Serbian citizenship, Alon lost sight in one eye and risks losing the other. His case rallied international artists and human rights advocates.
18. Avinatan Or, Engineer, Age 32
Or was abducted with his girlfriend Noa Argamani, whose high-profile rescue by Israeli forces in June 2024 was widely covered. The couple had planned to move in together.
19. Matan Zangauker, Age 25
Kidnapped from Nir Oz, Zangauker suffers from muscular dystrophy. In captivity, his condition deteriorated significantly—a reminder of the health toll on vulnerable detainees.
Why does this hostage release matter?
1. It’s a significant diplomatic turning point
The release of these hostages was part of a rare ceasefire agreement brokered through Qatari and Egyptian mediation. While the war has seen many failed negotiation attempts, this moment signals a temporary, if fragile, diplomatic opening.
2. The psychological toll on Israeli society has been immense
For two years, Israeli media, civil society, and global Jewish communities have rallied around the hostages. Their names were read in vigils. Their faces plastered on posters. Their families became regulars in Knesset hearings and international appeals.
The release brings partial closure—but also revives debate: should Israel strike further deals with Hamas?
3. It highlights the human cost of conflict
Each freed hostage is a reminder that wars are not just geopolitical—they’re deeply personal. These are not just numbers. They are sons, daughters, artists, medics, and teachers. Their survival stories should not be buried beneath military statistics or ceasefire bullet points.
What comes next for the released hostages?
Reintegration is likely to be long and difficult. According to Israeli medical officials, many are in fragile physical condition. Psychologists specializing in post-trauma recovery have been mobilized.
The Israeli government is expected to provide ongoing support, but past cases suggest gaps in care and bureaucratic delays. Advocacy groups are already calling for comprehensive health, housing, and job reintegration programs.
The bigger picture: Is more hostage release likely?
This exchange could pave the way for future deals—but there’s no guarantee.
While some hostages have now been returned, dozens more remain in Gaza, including soldiers, civilians, and foreign nationals. The pressure on the Israeli government is growing. On one hand, families are demanding more deals. On the other, there’s strong domestic opposition to making concessions to Hamas.
For now, this group’s freedom offers a sliver of light—but the road to resolution remains uncertain.
TL;DR
- 20 Israeli hostages were released by Hamas on October 13, 2025, in a ceasefire deal.
- Many were taken during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack—the deadliest in Israel’s history.
- Victims include soldiers, festivalgoers, musicians, and dual citizens from countries including Germany, Russia, Hungary, and Argentina.
- The release brings temporary relief but leaves dozens still in captivity and Israel divided over the next steps.
