A heart-wrenching story unfolds as we delve into the identities of the hostages still held captive in Gaza. The fate of these individuals hangs in the balance, with hopes for their release rising amidst a potential ceasefire agreement.
US President Donald Trump has announced that all hostages are expected to be freed as early as Monday, marking the first phase of a ceasefire plan negotiated between Hamas and Israel. This news comes over two years after the devastating kidnappings that saw 251 people taken from Israel and brought to Gaza.
Among the remaining 47 hostages, at least 20 are believed to be alive, including the remains of IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014. The Israeli government has confirmed the deaths of 26 hostages, but the status of two others, Tamir Nimrodi and Bipin Joshi, remains uncertain, causing grave concern.
The majority of the hostages believed to be alive are young men in their 20s and 30s, with one notable exception - Inbar Hayman, a woman among the 26 declared dead in Gaza.
But here's where it gets controversial... The hostages' backgrounds and circumstances vary. Eleven were taken from a music festival, while eight were kidnapped from small communities known as kibbutzim in southern Israel. Three of these hostages were Israeli soldiers, abducted from military bases and a tank.
Let's take a closer look at some of these individuals:
Twin brothers Ziv and Gali Berman, aged 26 at the time, were kidnapped from their home in kibbutz Kfar-Aza during the October 7 terror attack. Their mother, Liran Berman, shared that released hostages had informed the family that the brothers were alive and separated.
Brothers Ariel and David Cunio, along with their families, were kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz. Ariel's partner Yehoud, David's wife Sharon, and their twin daughters Yuli and Emma were also taken. While Sharon, Yuli, and Emma were released in November 2023, Yehoud was freed earlier this year.
Eitan Horn, visiting his brother Iair, was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz. Iair was released, but Eitan remains in captivity. A heartbreaking propaganda video released by Hamas showed Iair saying goodbye to Eitan, breaking the Horn family's hearts.
Matan Zangauker and his partner Illana Gritzewsky were kidnapped together, but only Illana, a Mexican national, was released in November 2023. Matan was left behind.
Omri Miran, 46 at the time, was kidnapped when Hamas gunmen invaded his family's home in kibbutz Nahal Oz. In April 2024, Hamas released a video featuring Miran and American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, who has since been freed.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David, childhood friends, were abducted together from the Nova Music Festival. In February 2025, Hamas filmed them watching other hostages being released, a form of psychological torment, according to Gilboa-Dalal's brother Gal.
Avinatan Or, kidnapped from the Nova festival, had his girlfriend Noa Argamani rescued in an IDF operation in central Gaza in 2024. They were separated during the abduction.
Several other hostages, including Nimrod Cohen, Matan Angrest, and Tamir Nimrodi, are among the youngest still held in Gaza. Cohen's family identified him in a Hamas propaganda video thanks to a distinctive tattoo.
Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, was working on a farm in kibbutz Alumim when he was kidnapped. A recently recovered video, believed to be from November 2023, shows Joshi alive in captivity, giving his family unwavering faith in his survival.
Four foreign nationals, including three Thais and one Tanzanian, remain in Gaza. Three of them have been declared dead by the Israeli government, but an unnamed Thai citizen is believed to be alive.
The bodies of the 26 hostages declared dead are also part of the ceasefire agreement, but sources suggest Hamas may not know the locations of some remains or be unable to retrieve them.
Inbar Hayman, the only female hostage still in Gaza, was kidnapped from the Nova festival and later killed by Hamas while in captivity.
At least 13 of the deceased hostages were killed during the October 7, 2023, terror attacks, and their bodies were taken to Gaza. Among them were several Israeli soldiers, including dual US and Israeli citizens Omer Maxim Neutra and Itay Chen.
As we await the potential release of these hostages, the question remains: Will this ceasefire agreement bring an end to their captivity? And what impact will it have on the families and loved ones who have endured this unimaginable ordeal?
What are your thoughts on this complex and emotional situation? Feel free to share your opinions and engage in a respectful discussion in the comments below.
