JERUSALEM-(MaraviPost)-In a momentous occasion that brought tears of joy to the eyes of families and loved ones, 20 Israeli hostages were released by Hamas on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after 738 agonizing days in captivity.
The release marks a significant milestone in the Israel-Hamas conflict and is part of a U.S.-brokered peace deal.
The hostages, ranging in age from 20 to 39, were abducted during the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack that triggered the Israel-Hamas war.
They were held captive in the Gaza Strip before being released to the Red Cross and subsequently handed over to Israeli authorities.
The release was met with jubilation in Israel, with hundreds gathering at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to await the return of their loved ones.
The atmosphere was electric, with families and friends anxiously waiting for news of the hostages’ release.
As the hostages emerged from their long ordeal, they were greeted with warm hugs, tears, and cheers from their relieved families.
The emotional reunions were a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the unwavering dedication of those who fought for their release.
The 20 living hostages who were released include:
- Alon Ohel: A 24-year-old piano enthusiast who was kidnapped at the Nova music festival. Alon began playing the piano at the age of 9 and had planned to start his studies at Israel’s Rimon School of Music.
- Ariel Cunio: A 28-year-old software tester who shares a love of astronomy with his partner, Arbel Yehud. Ariel was kidnapped alongside his partner but was released separately.
- David Cunio: A 35-year-old electrical technician and Ariel’s older brother. David held the safe room door in the family home for five hours while attackers tried to open it.
- Avinatan Or: A 32-year-old Nvidia employee who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival alongside his girlfriend, Noa Argamani. Avinatan was born and raised in Shiloh before moving to Tel Aviv.
- Bar Kupershtein: A 23-year-old combat medic who was abducted while helping victims at the Nova music festival. Bar’s father, Tal Kupershtein, has been undergoing speech therapy after an accident left him unable to move or speak.
- Eitan Avraham Mor: A 25-year-old coffee shop worker and security team member at the Nova music festival.
Eitan helped evacuate wounded people before being abducted and is the oldest of seven siblings.
- Eitan Horn: A 39-year-old educator who immigrated to Israel from Argentina as a teenager. Eitan was visiting his brother Yair Horn in kibbutz Nir Oz when they were both kidnapped.
- Elkana Bohbot: One of the hostages who returned home after 738 days in captivity.
The other hostages released include:
- Evyatar David: A 24-year-old who was kidnapped at the Nova music festival.
- Guy Gilboa-Dalal: A hostage who was held captive for over two years.
- Matan Angrest: A 22-year-old conscript soldier.
- Nimrod Cohen: A 20-year-old conscript soldier.
- Omri Miran: A hostage who was released after being held captive for 738 days.
- Rom Braslavski: A hostage who returned home after being held captive.
- Gali Berman: A hostage who was released alongside her husband, Ziv Berman.
- Ziv Berman: A hostage who was released alongside his wife, Gali Berman.
- Maxim Herkin: A hostage who returned home after being held captive.
- Avinatan Or: A hostage who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival.
The release of the hostages was made possible by a U.S.-brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas.
As part of the agreement, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners and over 1,700 detainees.
The hostages’ release marks a significant step towards peace in the region, and their homecoming is a testament to the power of hope and resilience.
As the hostages begin their journey towards recovery and rehabilitation, they will receive support from medical professionals, family members, and loved ones.
In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said, “Our struggle is not over. It will not end until the last hostage is located and returned for proper burial.”
The forum emphasized that the release of the hostages is a moral obligation and that the people of Israel will not be whole until all hostages are returned home.
The release of the hostages has brought a sense of relief and hope to the families and loved ones of those still being held captive.
As the international community continues to work towards a lasting peace in the region, the homecoming of these hostages serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of working towards a more peaceful future.
