Across Israel, posters of missing people hang from walls and street corners. Their faces have faded with time, but their stories remain alive in the hearts of families and citizens. These are the hostages Israel believes are still alive in Gaza — people who were taken during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
That day, Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 others from Israel. The attack started a deadly two-year war that has caused massive destruction and loss on both sides. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry — whose data is also used by the United Nations — more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, about half of them women and children. Nearly 90% of Gaza’s population has been forced to leave their homes.
The Latest Ceasefire and Hostage Release
With the start of a new ceasefire on Friday, there is renewed hope. Israel believes 48 hostages are still in Gaza, including the body of one soldier from an earlier war. Officials say at least 25 other hostages have died since the October 7 attacks or during captivity.
Under the new deal, the remaining hostages are expected to be released within 72 hours in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. But it is still unclear how many of them are alive.
Stories of the Hostages
Among those believed to be alive is Matan Angrest, 22, an Israeli soldier kidnapped from his tank. His mother, Anat, has become one of the loudest voices calling for the government to act faster. “I know you’re in pain, and I can’t hug you,” she said at a recent rally.
Twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28, were kidnapped from Kfar Aza kibbutz. They were taken from their homes on the Gaza border, and reports say they are being held separately.
From the Nova music festival, where almost 400 people were killed, several hostages remain missing. Elkana Bohbot, 36, appeared in Hamas videos filmed under pressure. His son still plays with toy binoculars, pretending to look for his father. Another victim, Rom Braslavski, 21, was seen in a horrifying video, weak and crying, forced to dig his own grave. These videos shocked Israelis and led to massive protests demanding a deal to bring the hostages home.
David Cunio, from Nir Oz kibbutz, was taken with his wife and twin daughters. His wife and children have since been freed, but David remains in captivity. In July, his wife wrote on Facebook that their daughters have grown so much their father wouldn’t recognize them anymore.
Other names include Omri Miran, 48, whose kidnapping was broadcast live on Facebook; Avinatan Or, seen in a viral video with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, crying and reaching for each other as militants dragged them apart; and Bar Kupershtein, 23, who stayed behind at the Nova festival to help the injured.
The Story of Bipin Joshi — Nepal’s Hostage in Gaza
Among the hostages, one name is deeply meaningful to Nepal — Bipin Joshi, 24, the only non-Israeli hostage believed to be alive. Bipin had arrived in Israel just a month before the attacks, as part of an agricultural exchange program at Kibbutz Alumim near Gaza. When Hamas attacked, 10 out of 17 Nepali students were killed, and Bipin was captured after bravely throwing live grenades out of the shelter to protect his friends.
In Nepal, his story has brought both sadness and unity. Candlelight vigils and prayers have been held across the country. His 17-year-old sister, Pushpa, travels long hours by bus from western Nepal to Kathmandu to meet government officials and ask for help. In August, his family went to Israel and met with President Isaac Herzog, joining other hostage families in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.
Nepal’s government says it is in touch with Israeli authorities, but there has been no clear information about Bipin’s condition. His family continues to hope for good news, while Nepali citizens express solidarity through social media and public gatherings.
Hope and Uncertainty
Each name, each story, is a painful reminder of human suffering in this long war. Families wait, governments negotiate, and people across the world hope for peace. For Israel, these hostages symbolize national trauma and political tension. For Palestinians, the prisoner releases represent a small measure of justice in a devastating conflict.
As the ceasefire continues, the question remains: Who among them is still alive — and who will finally come home?
Also read: Matthew Perry: A Captivating Journey, Endearing Struggles, and the Timeless Impact on Our Hearts
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