The fate of 48 Israeli and foreign hostages remains uncertain, with 20 believed to be alive and expected to be released under the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Here are the names and stories of those Israel believes remain alive:
Alon Ohel (24): A musician and pianist, Ohel was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. His parents, prominent advocates for the hostages' return, placed dozens of pianos across Israel with the message 'You are not alone.' In 2024, his mother organized a concert on the Gaza border, stating, 'I know that he's alive because he was taken alive, and I know that he's alive because I'm a mother.'
Ariel (28) and David (35) Cunio: Brothers from Kibbutz Nir Oz, they were abducted on Oct. 7 along with their wives and children. While their families were freed in earlier deals, the brothers remained in captivity. Their mother, Sylvia, said, 'I always try to stay optimistic because there's no other way... I just want them all home.'
Avinatan Or (32): The second of seven siblings, Or holds a degree in electrical and computer engineering and worked in high-tech. He was kidnapped from the Nova festival with his partner, Noa Argamani, who was rescued by Israeli forces last year. Footage of their abduction became a defining image of the Oct. 7 attacks. In March 2025, released hostages delivered a sign of life from him to his family.
Bar Kupershtein (23): The eldest of five siblings and the family's main breadwinner after his father became disabled, Kupershtein was abducted to Gaza while working at the Nova festival. Passionate about motorcycles, he was last seen in a Hamas video in April 2025 alongside hostage Maksim Harkin.
Elkana Bohbot (36): Working at the Nova music festival when he was abducted, several videos of him in captivity have surfaced. His mother expressed her exhaustion from promises and her desire to see the headline 'We signed the deal.'
Eitan Horn (39): Kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his brother Yair, who was released earlier this year. Eitan spent part of his captivity with Yair, and the brothers reportedly fled through tunnels during Israeli airstrikes. Yair's release brought relief but left the family deeply anxious for Eitan.
Eitan Mor (25): The eldest of eight siblings, Mor worked as a barista and dreamed of opening his own café. He was kidnapped from the Nova festival, where he worked as a security guard. Released hostages described him as a morale booster.
Evyatar David (24): Worked as a café shift manager and was planning a trip to Southeast Asia. He was kidnapped from the Nova music festival alongside his friend Guy Gilboa Dalal. In Aug. 2025, Hamas released videos showing him emaciated, digging his own grave, and urging the Israeli Prime Minister to agree to a ceasefire.
Gali Berman and Ziv Berman (28): Twin brothers from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, they were abducted from their home on Oct. 7. Lovers of soccer and travel, they ran a sound and lighting company together and had recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica. Released hostages reported that as of Feb. 2025, the brothers were alive but being held separately.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal (24): An animation and Japanese anime enthusiast who had planned to travel to Japan, he was abducted from the Nova festival on Oct. 7 alongside his close friend Evyatar David. His brother Gal escaped. In Feb. 2025, Hamas released a video showing them witnessing their friends' release. Guy endured severe abuse and starvation, leaving him in poor physical and mental condition.
Maxim Herkin (35): An Israel-Russian dual national and immigrant from Ukraine, Herkin was abducted from the Nova festival, where two of his close friends were killed. A father to a daughter in Russia, he has had no contact since the day he was taken. In May 2025, Hamas released a video showing him pale and thin.
Matan Angrest (22): A soldier captured when his tank was attacked by Hamas near the Gaza perimeter fence. He endured abuse and interrogations by Hamas operatives, according to released hostages. His last known appearance was in a Hamas video released in March 2025.
Matan Zangauker (25): Abducted from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his partner, Ilana Gritzewsky, who was released in Nov. 2023. The couple worked at the kibbutz's medical cannabis farm. Matan's mother has become a leading voice for the hostages' families.
Nimrod Cohen (20): A soldier taken from his tank during the Oct. 7 attacks near the Nirim kibbutz. He was 19 at the time. Hamas released footage of his capture, and released hostages confirmed he is alive, though in poor physical and mental condition.
Omri Miran (48): A shiatsu therapist and head gardener at Kibbutz Nir Oz, he was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, in front of his wife and two daughters. His father has become a leading advocate for the hostages' release.
Rom Braslavski (21): A soldier from Jerusalem working as a security guard at the Nova festival, he was abducted after helping others escape. In April 2025, Islamic Jihad released a video showing him emaciated and in poor health. Contact with him was lost in July, but Israeli officials believe he is still alive.
Segev Kalfon (27): Kalfon was abducted while trying to escape Hamas gunmen at the Nova music festival. A friend later told his family that militants approached their car and seized Segev, a Tel Aviv finance student with severe anxiety. His mother fears for his health due to denied medication.
Yosef Chaim Ohana (25): A bartender and the eldest son of a single mother he helped support, Ohana loves cycling, camping, and hiking. He was abducted from the Nova festival after risking his life to help others escape. Released hostages reported seeing him alive, and in May 2025, Hamas released a video showing him alongside fellow hostage Elkana Buchbut.
