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Hamas releases 7 Israeli hostages: Here's who they are
Hamas is today set to free dozens of Israeli hostages who were taken during the terror attack on Oct 7, two years ago. Here are some details about them
Hamas released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday, the first to be freed as part of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the two-year Israel–Hamas war. There was no immediate information on their condition.
The terrorist group has said that 20 living hostages will be exchanged for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The key exchange follows a breakthrough ceasefire agreement after two years of devastating conflict.
Track latest updates on Israel-Hamas truce here
The hostages were taken during Hamas’ terror attack on October 7, 2023, when terrorists stormed southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. That attack triggered the war that has raged for the past two years.
The conflict has since killed 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, displaced nearly 90% of the enclave's 2 million residents, and devastated communities on both sides.
Here's a look at who are the hostages still believed to be alive:
Nova festival hostages
A majority of the hostages were abducted from the Nova music festival, held near Kibbutz Reim. The festival became one of the deadliest sites of the October 7 terror onslaught, with almost 400 people murdered and dozens kidnapped.
Among those expected to be released is Evyatar David, 24, whose starved appearance in a Hamas propaganda video in August - where he said he was digging his own grave - shocked Israelis.
Also on the list are pianist Alon Ohel, 24, who was kidnapped from a bomb shelter, and Avinatan Or, 32, whose abduction with his girlfriend Noa Argamani was filmed by terrorists and went viral worldwide. Argamani was rescued in June 2024.
Also read: Who was Roei Shalev? Oct 7 survivor who witnessed GF's execution dies by suicide
Other Nova hostages include Elkana Bohbot, 36, filmed under duress pleading with his family; Rom Braslavski, 21, a security guard whose injuries and captivity were used in terrorist videos; and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24, abducted alongside his childhood friend David.
Maksym Harkin, 37, a Ukrainian-born father of one; Segev Kalfon, 27, a bakery worker; Bar Kupershtein, 23, a security guard supporting his injured father; Eitan Mor, 25, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25, and others are also believed to remain alive.
From the Kibbutzim
Seven hostages were taken from their homes in border communities during the terror attack. Among them are Gali and Ziv Berman, 28, fraternal twins from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, reportedly held separately for nearly two years - the longest they have ever been apart.
Brothers Ariel, 28, and David Cunio, 35, were abducted from Nir Oz kibbutz along with their families. David’s wife Sharon and their twin daughters were released in November 2023, but he remains captive.
Matan Zangauker, 25, was taken from the same kibbutz with his girlfriend, who was freed after 55 days. His mother has since become one of the most outspoken figures in the hostage families’ protest movement.
Israeli soldiers and foreigners
Two Israeli soldiers are also believed to be alive: Matan Angrest, 22, and Nimrod Cohen, 21, both seized by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 fighting. Their families have been among the most vocal critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis.
Among the four foreign nationals still listed as hostages is Bipin Joshi, 24, a Nepalese agriculture student kidnapped from Kibbutz Alumim. Joshi is the only foreigner believed to be alive; three others - a Tanzanian student and two Thai workers - have been declared dead in absentia.
Hostages declared dead
Israel has formally declared 26 hostages dead based on forensic and intelligence evidence. These include a soldier whose body was never recovered, as well as many taken during the October 7 terror attack. Some were killed during the assault itself, others died in captivity or were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
Hamas has indicated that recovering all bodies may take time, claiming some burial sites are unknown. An international task force is expected to assist in locating remains.
The current ceasefire, which began Friday, is viewed as a critical step toward ending a war that has left deep scars. For Israeli families, the release offers a rare moment of hope after two years of anguish. For Palestinians, the release of thousands of prisoners marks a significant political and humanitarian moment.
Photos: Ruins, rubble and famine - The human cost of Israel's war in Gaza
It remains unclear how many of the remaining hostages will return home alive. Israel believes only one female hostage remains - and that she was likely killed in captivity.
US President Donald Trump arrived in the region on Monday along with other world leaders to discuss the US-proposed deal and outline postwar plans for Gaza — marking a high-stakes diplomatic moment alongside the hostage releases.
