Who are the hostages freed during the Israel-Hamas conflict?
An 8-year-old soccer fan who enjoys playing video games. Young-adult siblings at a desert music festival. A daughter hoping to see her terminally ill mother again.
These are a few of the 117 people who have been freed since their capture by Hamas on October 7 in a surprise attack by the militant group on southern Israel. Most of the hostages were released as part of a short-lived hostage-and-ceasefire deal agreed between Hamas and Israel that lasted November 24 to December 1.
One captive was freed August 27 in what the Israeli military called a "complex operation" in southern Gaza. Earlier this summer on June 8, four captives were rescued in an Israeli military operation in central Gaza that Gazan health authorities said killed more than 270 people and injured about 700 others.
There have been four successful hostage rescue operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the current conflict with Hamas. Israeli soldiers in December shot and killed three Israeli hostages in Gaza after misidentifying them as threats.
Here are the names and details of the freed hostages, with their ages on October 7 as reported by family and local press.
Select a person to learn more.
Farhan Al-Qadi
Age approx. 52
Israel's military said it rescued Farhan — who was held by Hamas since October 7 — in a "complex operation" in southern Gaza. The Bedouin Israeli citizen is from Rahat in southern Israel and is the father of 11 children.
Noa Argamani
Age 25
Noa became one of the symbols of the October 7 attacks, after video emerged of her shouting and pleading from the seat of a motorbike as a group of Hamas fighters drove away with her. Noa’s mother, Liora Argamani, has been grappling with late-stage brain cancer. In a video released last November, she made a desperate plea to be able to see her daughter one more time. A spokesperson for Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv confirmed that Noa had been transferred there to be treated alongside her mother. Video also showed Noa embracing her father after her release.
Almog Meir Jan
Age 21
Almog is from the small city of Or Yehuda, outside Tel Aviv. He was due to start a new job at a technology company on October 8. He was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7.
Shlomi Ziv
Age 40
He was working as a security guard at the Nova festival when he was kidnapped on October 7. Shlomi had been living in the local moshav or agricultural settlement for 17 years with his wife Miren.
Andrey Kozlov
Age 27
A Russian citizen who moved to Israel a year ago, Andrey was also working as a security guard at the Nova festival.
Fernando Simon Marman
Age 60
Fernando and fellow Israeli-Argentinian Louis Har were rescued in a complex IDF operation. While the mission was celebrated in Israel, around 100 people were reported killed inside Gaza as a result of the Israeli Air Force providing “aerial cover” for the ground operation.
Louis Har
Age 70
Louis and fellow Israeli-Argentinian Fernando Simon Marman were rescued in a complex IDF operation. While the mission was celebrated in Israel, around 100 people were reported killed inside Gaza as a result of the Israeli Air Force providing “aerial cover” for the ground operation.
Aisha Alziadana
Age 17
Aisha was kidnapped by Hamas from a farm in the Holit kibbutz along with her brother, Bilal, who was released on the same day. Their father and brother, Hamza, who were also taken hostage, remain in Gaza.
Bilal Alziadana
Age 18
The Alziadanas live just outside the Israeli city of Rahat, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. On the morning of October 7, the family was working on a farm in the Holit kibbutz. Bilal was kidnapped along with his sister, Aisha, brother, Hamza, and father, Yousef. Hamza and Yousef remain in Gaza.
Sapir Cohen
Age 29
Sapir was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, along with her boyfriend Alexander (Sasha) Trupanob, his mother Yelena Trupanob and his grandmother, Irena Tati. Trupanob and Tati were released by Hamas on November 29. Cohen is a software engineer and animal-lover who is known to take in stray cats to care for them.
Shani Goren
Age 29
Shani lives in Nir Oz kibbutz, where she lives and works in informal education in the community.
Ilana Gritzewsky
Age 30
Ilana immigrated to Israel at age 16 from Mexico and lives in Nir Oz with her partner, Matan Zangauker. She works at a plant nursery. The couple were kidnapped from their home on October 7. Matan is still being held captive in Gaza.
Nili Margalit
Age 41
Nili is a pediatric nurse who lives in Nir Oz with her dog, “Nechi Nech.”
Mia Schem
Age 21
The French-Israeli woman was kidnapped from the Nova music festival near the Gaza Strip after Hamas fighters launched a terror attack on October 7. Shortly after the attack, Hamas released a video showing Mia lying on a bed, her right arm being bandaged by someone out of the frame. A long, fresh scar was clearly visible. Speaking into the camera, Mia, who looked pale but was sitting up straight with her head held high, said she was injured and taken to Gaza, then pleaded to be returned to her family. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said she went to the desert dance party with a friend, Elia Toledano, who was also kidnapped and remains in Gaza.
Amit Soussana
Age 40
Amit lived by herself in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and was abducted while hiding in her property’s shelter. The lawyer has three cats, listens to rock music and can be found on a tennis court in her spare time.
Liat Beinin
Age 49
Liat is a dual US-Israeli citizen who was living in Kibbutz Nir Oz when the attack by Hamas on October 7 occurred. She was taken hostage along with her husband, Aviv, who remains in captivity. Liat’s father told CNN last month that Liat is a high school civics and history teacher and also a tour guide at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, in Jerusalem.
Raz Ben-Ami
Age 57
Raz was abducted in Be’eri with her husband, Ohad, who is still being held by Hamas. The 57-year-old likes to dabble in arts and crafts and has filled her family’s home with pots and plants. Over the last 13 years, she has started “experiencing severe pain” and has been dealing with health issues, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Ofir Engel
Age 17
Ofir is a dual Israeli-Dutch national. His aunt told CNN earlier this month that he had been visiting his girlfriend for Shabbat when the pair were abducted by Hamas, along with his girlfriend’s father.
Yarden Roman Gat
Age 36
Yarden is a mother of one who loves the outdoors and hiking. She is a physiotherapist and spends her free time volunteering as a caregiver to the elderly in the kibbutz. She was with her husband, Alon, and 3-year-old daughter, Gefen, on October 7 in Be’eri when they were taken hostage. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the family managed to escape the van they had been bundled into, but Hamas attackers caught up with them. Yarden had, however, handed her daughter to her husband and the pair were able to escape. Yarden’s family put out a statement following her release, which said: "While celebrating this reunion, the fight for the return of all abductees continues. Carmel Gat, 39, Yarden's beloved sister-in-law, and one of the last young women held by Hamas, is still in captivity. We have good reason to believe she's alive, and the entire family will continue to fight for her until she comes back.”
Liam Or
Age 18
Liam was attending the Nova music festival when he was taken hostage on October 7. His family describes him as smiling, sensitive, funny and honest, said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Itay Regev
Age 18
Itay was at the Nova music festival with his sister, Maya, when they were taken hostage by Hamas. His sibling was released on November 25.
Raaya Rotem
Age 54
Raaya’s daughter, Hila Rotem Shoshani, was released from Hamas captivity several days prior to her on November 25. Israeli officials said the release of a child without her mother was in violation of the terms of the truce. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman later said that Hamas had told the Israeli military that they did not know where Raaya was at the time that they released her daughter. Raaya had been with her daughter up until two days before her daughter’s release, Hila told Israeli authorities, according to the IDF spokesman. In captivity, Raaya also looked after former hostage Emily Hand like she was her own daughter, Hand’s father told CNN. Emily was released at the same time as Hila.
Amit Shani
Age 15
Amit‘s birthday was about two weeks into his captivity, his father told CNN.
Gali Tarshansky
Age 13
Gali loves to dance, listen to music and watch Marvel movies. She plays volleyball for the “Hapoel Ashkelon” team, with her mother describing her as a real team player, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Gali was kidnapped from the safe room of her Kibbutz Be’eri home, where she had been hiding with her 16-year-old brother Lior, who was killed, the group said.
Moran Stela Yanai
Age 40
Moran is a jewelry designer who was selling her designs at the Nova music festival near Re’im when she was taken hostage.
Paiboon Rattanin
Paiboon was one of four Thai hostages released on November 29, according to Thailand’s foreign affairs ministry. Their release was part of a separate deal negotiated by the Thai government.
Kong Saelao
On November 29, the Thai national was freed by Hamas.
Chalermchai Sangkaew
Chalermchai was also released by Hamas on November 29 in a separate deal negotiated by the Thai government. Thailand's foreign affairs ministry believes nine citizens are still being held by Hamas.
Jakkrapan Srikeina
The Thai foreign ministry confirmed Jakkrapan was one of four of its citizens released on November 29.
Irena Tati
Age 73
Irena is a doctor who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. She was freed on November 29 along with her daughter, Yelena Trupanob, both of whom had immigrated to Israel from Russia, according to the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum. They had been kidnapped along with Yelena’s son and his girlfriend, who are still with Hamas.
Yelena Trupanob
Age 50
Yelena works for an industrial paint manufacturer. Her husband was killed on October 7, the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum said. She was freed alongside her mother, but her son is still missing.
Noralin Babadilla
Age 60
Noralin lives in Yahud-Monoson, where her hobbies include growing succulents and flowers in the garden of her building. On October 6, she and her partner Gideon were spending the evening at a friend’s house in Kibbutz Nirim to celebrate the community's 70th anniversary. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Gideon was killed the following day in the October 7 attacks. Noralin is a dual national of the Philippines, officials have said.
Ditza Heiman
Age 84
Ditza is another of the founders of Nir Oz. She is described by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum as a “family woman, a beloved and loving grandmother” who is “known for her chicken soup, cholent and fruit cakes.”
Rimon Kirsht
Age 36
Rimon and her husband Yagev were abducted on October 7 by Hamas fighters. The pair, who married two years ago, live in Kibbutz Nirim with their adopted five dogs and five cats. Rimon practices alternative medicine and reflexology, and adores rock music – particularly Guns N’ Roses, U2 and Israeli bands HaYehudim and The Witches. She is a volunteer at Maslan, the Negev’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Support Center.
Gabriela Leimberg
Age 59
Gabriela is a social psychologist who lives in Jerusalem, where she works for an organization that provides community services for people with disabilities. She immigrated to Israel from Argentina in the 1990s. She was abducted with her daughter, Mia, who was also released.
Mia Leimberg
Age 17
Mia is a student at an arts high school in Jerusalem. She works at a local bookshop and has a Shih Tzu dog named “Bella,” who was also taken when she and her mother were kidnapped.
Clara Merman
Age 63
Clara is a former kindergarten teacher who has lived in Nir Yitzhak since 1982. Despite retiring, the mother of two and grandmother of three continues to work with the elderly, as well as at-risk families, offering parental guidance. Her partner, Louis, and her brother, Fernando, were taken hostage and later rescued by IDF on February 12. Her sister is Gabriela, who was also released in November.
Tamar Metzger
Age 78
A grandmother, Tamar previously worked in the kibbutz nursery and ran the general store. Her husband Yoram was also kidnapped and is still in Gaza.
Ofelia Roitman
Age 77
Ofelia is a mother of three and grandmother of nine from Kibbutz Nir Oz. She is a retired educator, who taught in the kibbutz and was previously a principal at Jewish schools in Argentina.
Ada Sagi
Age 74
Ada is a mother of three and grandmother of six. Also a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, she teaches Hebrew and Arabic and, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, was supposed to fly to London to celebrate her 75th birthday in late October.
Owas Suriyasri
The Thai citizen was freed by Hamas on November 28. He was warmly greeted by his country’s visiting foreign minister at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel. He was also welcomed at the hospital by the previously released Thai hostages.
Meirav Tal
Age 53
Meirav lives in Rishon LeZion, but had been visiting her partner, Yair, at the Nir Oz kibbutz when the two were taken along with Yair’s children, Yagil and Or. The children were released on November 27, one day prior to Meirav. Yair is still in Hamas captivity.
Pattanayut Tornsokree
Pattanayut was one of two Thai nationals released from Gaza on November 28. Upon their arrival at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel, the pair were met by Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. The foreign minister “congratulated them on their safe release,” the country’s foreign ministry said.
Sharon Aloni Cunio
Age 34
The mother of two is a personal adviser to the head of the Ashkol Regional Council, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel. She fell in love with her partner, David, while doing PR for a film in which he was starring. Sharon and her twin daughters were released on Monday, two days after her sister, Daniel, and niece, Emilia, were freed. Sharon’s husband, David, and his brother, Ariel, are still in Gaza.
Emma Cunio
Age 3
Emma was released with her twin sister, Yuli, and mother, Sharon, on November 27. She is a “true kibbutz girl who prefers trucks and mechanical tools over dolls,” according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Yuli Cunio
Age 3
Yuli was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz with her mother and twin sister, Emma. Her father David is still a hostage. The Israeli embassy in Argentina said that all three of the freed family members were dual Argentinian citizens.
Karina Engel-Bart
Age 52
Karina is an accountant who lives in Kibbutz Nir Oz with her husband and children, a Nir Oz spokesperson said, all of whom were taken hostage on October 7. “She recently recovered from breast cancer after two years of treatments and surgeries… She is still receiving medication for her condition,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said. The members of the Engel-Bart family are dual Argentinian citizens, according to the Israeli embassy in Argentina.
Mika Engel
Age 18
Mika, who graduated with honors, was taken with her mother, sister and father to Gaza, according to a Nir Oz spokesperson. Her father is still being held hostage.
Yuval Engel
Age 11
Known to her friends as "Yuvi," she is an animal lover who has two dogs and enjoys riding horses. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, she is in the kibbutz youth movement and loves hiking with her family.
Or Jacob
Age 16
Or, who turned 17 while he was held in Gaza, is “a kind-hearted teenager, who loves the gym and collects antiques,” a Nir Oz spokesperson said. He was kidnapped along with his brother Yagil and father Yair, who remains a captive of Hamas.
Yagil Jacob
Age 12
Yagil is a fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv football club and loves music and cooking, according to the Nir Oz spokesperson. He was kidnapped with his brother and father. His mother, Renana Gomeh, said it was impossible to describe what it felt like to have him and his brother back. “We can finally start our lives together but it's not over until it's over, there are still so many hostages including their father, Yair, who is still held hostage in Gaza. And we want everyone back home,” she said. Yagil marked his birthday during his time in Gaza, turning 13.
Erez Kalderon
Age 11
Erez, who turned 12 in October, has a passion for soccer, ping pong and playing the trumpet. He also likes to ride horses and mountain bikes, a Nir Oz spokesperson said. He was taken to Gaza with his father and sister and several of his family members were killed in the October 7 attacks, the spokesperson added.
Sahar Kalderon
Age 16
Sahar is a creative teen who enjoys art, drawing and sculpting clay. She’s also a music lover, keen on K-Pop and Billie Eilish, and she plays the bass guitar. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said she was particularly close to her grandmother Carmela Dan, who died on October 7. The pair was known for playing chess and card games together or baking. Her father Ofer remains in Gaza.
Eitan Yahalomi
Age 12
Eitan was one of the French dual citizens released on November 27, according to French President Emanuel Macron on X, formerly Twitter. Eitan likes to play soccer in a regional little league, studies science in school and loves animals, according to the spokesperson for Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was kidnapped with his 49-year-old father, Ohad, who is still held in Gaza.
Elma Avraham
Age 84
Elma was taken from her Kibbutz Nahal Oz home. She was among the Israeli hostages freed from Gaza on November 26, however, her health had deteriorated during captivity. She was transferred to Soroka Medical Center via helicopter where her condition had improved slightly, doctors said.
Hagar Brodutch
Age 39
Hagar grew up in Kibbutz Gvulot but has lived in Kfar Aza with her husband for almost a decade. The mother-of-three is a community manager for Kibbutz Magen. She is said to enjoy “good coffee, going camping, traveling around Israel with her family and children, and listening to rock music,” according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Her three children were released alongside her on November 26.
Ofri Brodutch
Age 10
Ofri is the eldest of Hagar's three children who were taken by Hamas from Kfar Aza kibbutz.
Uriah Brodutch
Age 4
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Uriah is a “happy, energetic boy who loves making a mess” and playing soccer in the back garden. He was taken from his home with his two older siblings and their mother, Hagar.
Yuval Brodutch
Age 8
An 8-year-old soccer fan, Yuval enjoys playing video games with his older brother. He, along with his siblings and mother, were kidnapped from Kfar Aza kibbutz.
Abigail Edan
Age 3
Abigail, an American-Israeli citizen, was orphaned when her parents were killed on October 7. She was taken hostage during the attacks. Her handover marked the first successful release of an American hostage under the truce between Israel and Hamas. Abigail was the youngest American hostage, according to officials. She was 3 years old when abducted, and turned 4 while she was being held in Gaza.
Dafna Elyakim
Age 15
Dafna was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz along with her sister, Ela. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, she is a “happy and joyful girl” who is often surrounded by friends. The group said she is a keen artist and also likes to make TikTok videos.
Ela Elyakim
Age 8
Ela was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with her sister, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. She is “a gifted painter” who “always knows what she wants.”
Agam Goldstein-Almog
Age 17
Agam was kidnapped with her mother and two younger brothers from Kfar Aza kibbutz. She has been described by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel as “a beautiful girl with a huge heart” who “loves studying literature and philosophy.”
Chen Goldstein-Almog
Age 48
Chen is a social worker from the Kfar Aza kibbutz. She enjoys working out and is an avid runner. She was kidnapped from her home with three of her children, said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Her husband Nadav, whom she started dating in high school when she was 14, and their eldest daughter, Yam, were killed in the attack.
Gal Goldstein-Almog
Age 11
Gal is a sports fan who particularly likes soccer and basketball. He was released on November 26 along with his mother and two other siblings.
Tal Goldstein-Almog
Age 9
Tal plays basketball, has a flair for cartoon drawing and “studies twice a week in a gifted students class,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
Roni Kriboy
Age 25
Roni, a Israeli-Russian dual citizen, was released as a special case, outside of the parameters of the Israel-Hamas temporary truce, which did not allow for the release of adult men. Hamas credited his release to the intervention of Russian President Vladimir Putin and “the supportive Russian position for the Palestinian cause.” He was captured on October 7 while attending the Nova music festival.
Adrienne Siegel
Age 62
Adrienne (Aviva) was one of 17 hostages released by Hamas on the third night of the truce, November 26.
Surin Kesoognern
Surin is a Thai national who was released on November 26 along with two other citizens from his homeland. However, his name was not confirmed by the Thai foreign ministry until three days later.
Pornsawan Pinakalow
Pornsawan is a Thai citizen who was released by Hamas on November 26. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had received confirmation of Pinakalow’s release along with two others a day later. The ministry thanked "all parties involved in the efforts towards this latest release" and said in a statement that it continues to exert "all efforts" towards the safe release of the remaining Thai nationals being held by Hamas.
Vichian Temthong
Vichian from Thailand was among a smaller group of foreign nationals released on the third night, November 26, of the truce between Israel and Hamas. However, the release of the foreigners was a special case, outside the parameters of the truce agreement, which did not allow for the release of adult men.
Noam Avigdori
Age 12
Noam is Sharon’s daughter. The pair were released on November 25.
Sharon Avigdori
Age 52
A drama therapist, Sharon works with people with autism. She was among several family members kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri.
Emily Hand
Age 8
Emily’s father, Thomas Hand, initially thought his daughter had been killed in Hamas’ October 7 attacks. Weeks later, Israeli officials told him that Emily might still be alive, as they had not located her body and didn’t find any blood in the home where she was sleeping. He described his daughter as a fun, bright girl with honey-blonde hair and pale skin that tanned in the sun. He said she was one of the tallest in her class and a talented dancer and singer. After her release on November 25, the Israeli military released an emotional video of the little girl, who turned nine in captivity, running into her father’s arms. Hand, who is a single parent after his wife died of cancer, told CNN that Emily had lost weight and he’d never seen her so pale but “she’s coming out slowly, little by little.”
Shoshan Haran
Age 67
Shoshan, the founder of a non-profit fighting food insecurity, previously lived in Africa. She has a PhD in agronomy and had been helping people in Ethiopia and Tanzania improve seed quality and advanced cultivation methods, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. She was kidnapped along with eight other family members, according to the group. Three family members – her husband, sister, and brother-in-law – were killed, the group said.
Alma Or
Age 13
Alma was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Be’eri along with multiple members of her family.
Noam Or
Age 17
According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, multiple members of the Or family were taken captive by Hamas. Noam and sibling Alma were on the list of those released on November 25. Their father, Dror, is still being held by Hamas in Gaza, according to Israeli officials. Yonat, the children’s mother and Dror’s wife, was killed on October 7.
Maya Regev
Age 21
Maya and her brother, Itay, were both taken hostage by Hamas gunmen at the Nova music festival. In an interview with CNN in October, their father Ilan replayed a terrifying call Maya had placed to him. “Dad, they shot me, they shot me!” Maya can be heard screaming down the phone. “He is killing us, Dad, he is killing us.” Following her release, Maya was taken to Soroka Hospital for treatment of a moderate injury but was in a stable condition, according to a written statement from the hospital and Israel’s Ministry of Health. Itay was released by Hamas on November 29.
Adi Shoham
Age 38
The mother-of-two is a clinical psychologist who lives with her family in Ma'ale Tzviya. Adi was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri along with her husband, children and five other family members, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Nave Shoham
Age 8
Nave was with his parents and sister visiting relatives when he and eight other family members were kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri. The second-grader loves sports, particularly soccer, and is a fan of Lionel Messi.
Yahel Shoham
Age 3
Yahel was released from captivity by Hamas on November 25. She, her parents, and her older brother Nave were kidnapped together from Kibbutz Be’eri while visiting family.
Hila Rotem Shoshani
Age 13
Hila had been hosting a sleepover with her friend, Emily Hand, when she was abducted along with her mother, Raaya, from Kibbutz Be’eri. While both Hila and Emily were released on November 25, Raaya was not. An Israeli government official told CNN that mothers and children are not supposed to be separated under the agreement with Hamas. Raaya was subsequently released on November 29.
Noga Weiss
Age 18
Noga was abducted from the Be’eri kibbutz, which is only a few kilometers from Gaza. On the morning of October 7, she watched as her mother was kidnapped by Hamas militants while Noga hid under a bed, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. However, as they left, Hamas set the property on fire and Noga had to flee through a window — she was later found by fighters in nearby bushes. Her father, Ilan, was also taken hostage. Noga was released on November 25 along with her mother, but her father's whereabouts are unknown.
Shiri Weiss
Age 53
Shiri and her daughter, Noga, were taken hostage from the Be’eri kibbutz, where more than 120 people, including children, were massacred on October 7. Her husband, Ilan, was also kidnapped, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Shiri, an accountant, has been described by the group as “very family-oriented” and as someone who liked to plan family trips.
Anucha Angkaew
The second group of hostages released on November 25 included Anucha. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted the names of the released hostages on social media.
Komkrit Chombua
Four Thai nationals were released by Hamas late on November 25, the Israel Defense Forces said, including Komkrit.
Manee Jirachart
The Thai foreign ministry said Manee was among the four Thai nationals released from Gaza by Hamas on November 25. Manee had gone to work in Israel to send money home to his family and was expected to return next year. His father told CNN on November 30 that “it is like I have my life back.” He added: “Now I can have a good sleep, and a good dream, after days of sleeplessness and fear of losing him.”
Natthaporn Onkaew
Among the many foreigners killed and captured by Hamas were migrant workers from Asia, who work in the country’s agricultural, construction and healthcare sectors. Thailand has for decades been one of the biggest sources of migrant labor in Israel, and suffered one of the highest tolls of any nation beyond Israel itself. The Thai foreign ministry confirmed Natthaporn was one of the Thai citizens released on November 25.
Yafa Adar
Age 85
Yafa is a founder of Nir Oz and was the oldest person to be taken hostage on October 7. A video of her being taken into Gaza on a golf cart driven by Hamas militants went viral shortly after her abduction. “Her eldest grandson, Tamir Adar, a 38-year-old father-of-two, was also abducted, and is still held hostage,” the Nir Oz spokesperson said. Her granddaughter, Adva, said the family matriarch had lost weight during her nearly 50 days in Gaza. She had kept track of the days as a hostage and was aware how long she had been a prisoner when she was released, her granddaughter added.
Daniel Aloni
Age 45
Daniel was among three women seen in a hostage video released by the Palestinian militant group. She had been visiting family in the Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel when she was abducted alongside her daughter, Emilia. Her sister, Sharon Aloni-Cunio, and other family members were also kidnapped and taken to Gaza on October 7.
Emilia Aloni
Age 5
Emilia was kidnapped alongside her mother and other family members from the Nir Oz kibbutz on October 7. The mother and daughter were released after 49 days in captivity. Emilia’s uncle, Moran, described his family’s gratitude at having Daniel and Emilia back. “One stone is now removed from our heart, but we are still missing parts of it,” he said referring to his sister, Sharon, and her family who were still held in the enclave at the time. Sharon and her children were subsequently released.
Aviv Asher
Age 2
Aviv was abducted from Nir Oz along with her mother and sister on October 7.
Doron Katz Asher
Age 34
Doron was visiting the Nir Oz kibbutz and was kidnapped with her two daughters, Aviv and Raz, as well as other family members. Doron lives in Ganot Hadar and works as an accountant. Her cousin, Dori Roberts, told CNN in October that he had received a video posted to social media showing his relatives being taken hostage by militants in Nir Oz. “Those endless thoughts about, ‘Where are they? How are they doing? What are they going through every minute of the day?’ That can really drive you insane,” Dori said.
Raz Asher
Age 4
Raz was taken to Gaza on October 7 when she was visiting relatives in Nir Oz with her mother and sister. The three were among the first group of Israelis released on November 24. Her father, Yoni Asher, said he was "determined” to help them recover “from the terrible trauma and loss” after 49 days in captivity.
Hannah Katzir
Age 76
A member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, Hannah’s husband, Rami, 79, was killed in their home on October 7. “A mother of three and grandmother of six. Her son Elad, 47 years old, was also kidnapped and is still in Gaza,” said Nir Oz’s spokesperson. Hannah had been feared dead before she was spotted in the back seat of a Red Cross vehicle heading into Egypt on the day of her release. Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced on November 21 that she had died, but did not offer proof. CNN did not report the Islamic Jihad claim at the time, but some Israeli and international media did so.
Margalit Moses
Age 78
The mother of three and grandmother of 10 is a retired biology teacher. She is also a cancer survivor who has diabetes, “fibromyalgia, and takes many additional medications,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. The nature lover had planned on traveling to Mozambique this winter.
Adina Moshe
Age 72
The retired educator and Nir Oz resident is a mother of four and grandmother of 12. Her husband David (Sa’id) Moshe was killed in their home on October 7. Before her release, Adina was last seen on a motorbike, wedged between two Hamas fighters near Gaza. Her niece, Einav Moshe Barda, told CNN: “She is a very strong woman. Look at the picture, she is sitting on the motorcycle with her back straight… and she just saw her husband being murdered.”
Keren Munder
Age 54
Keren is a physical education teacher for children with special needs and was born and raised in Nir Oz. She was abducted along with her only son, Ohad, and her parents, Ruth and Avraham, said the kibbutz spokesperson.
Ohad Munder
Age 9
Ohad “came to Nir Oz to visit family" for the [Jewish] holiday [Sukkot] when he was abducted alongside family members, the spokesperson for Nir Oz kibbutz said.
Ruth Munder
Age 78
Ruth, a Nir Oz resident who is a retired hairdresser and seamstress, was abducted along with her husband, daughter Keren and only grandson, Ohad. Her son, Roee, was killed on October 7, a Nir Oz spokesperson said. Her husband remains in Gaza. “She met her husband Avraham in the kibbutz… Ruth is a very talented woman, she was the librarian of the kibbutz and the seamstress. She also knits, paints, and sews. She is retired. Ruth attends classes and family trips,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Nattawaree Munkan
Nattawaree was one of 10 Thai hostages released on November 24. Her mother, Boonyarin Srichan, lives in Thailand’s Khon Kaen province and revealed how she “cried out of happiness” when she heard the news of Nattawaree’s release. “I broke into tears when I spotted her in two video clips. I recognized her hair and the way she normally walks. I thought it was definitely her when I saw a lady walking to a bus in a red dress, together with her hair style,” Boonyarin said in a phone interview the following day.
Hanna Peri
Age 79
Hanna, who lives in Kibbutz Nirim, immigrated to Israel from South Africa in the 1960s. She worked in a grocery store and is a mother of three – one of whom was murdered on October 7 and another kidnapped. “She has diabetes, and suffers severe vision loss in one of her eyes,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in a statement.
Santi Boonprom
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on November 25 that Santi was among the 10 Thai nationals freed by Hamas the previous day.
Vichai Kalapat
The Thai citizen was released on November 24. He was abducted from Nir Oz kibbutz, a spokeperson for the community said.
Bancha Kongmanee
Bancha is a Thai citizen who was held by Hamas in Gaza until November 24.
Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco
Gelienor, or “Jimmy,” a Philippine citizen, was working as a caretaker in Israel when he was taken hostage on October 7. Avishay Ben Zvi, the son of the man for whom Jimmy had been working, said after the release that Jimmy was doing better than expected and had spoken with his wife back in the Philippines. Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos confirmed his release on November 24. “I salute the work of the Philippine Foreign Service in securing his release, and once again thank the State of Qatar for their invaluable assistance in making Jimmy’s release possible,” Marcos said.
Boonthom Pankhong
Boonthom was among the first group of Thai citizens released on November 24. Israeli farms employ thousands of Thai laborers, according to Israel’s ministry of interior. The Thai nationals were released from Gaza by Hamas through separate negotiations that were not included in the Israel-Hamas truce, according to the Israeli government. Some of the foreign workers' ages are not known.
Mongkol Phachuabboon
Mongkol is a Thai citizen who was released on November 24. In a statement the following day, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs thanked the governments of Qatar, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia and the International Committee of the Red Cross, expressing its “deepest appreciation to all of the parties from whom the Thai authorities had sought assistance and support” in returning their citizens.
Vetoon Phoome
Vetoon was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz. His sister, Roongarun Wichanguen, said on November 25 that her brother "seemed okay," a day after he was released by Hamas.
Buddhee Saengboon
Buddhee was among the first group of Thai nationals to be freed by Hamas on November 24.
Uthai Saengnuan
The Thai citizen was among the first group of hostages released by Hamas on November 24.
Uthai Toonsri
The Thai citizen was one of the 10 Thais freed by Hamas to the Red Cross on November 24.
Pvt. Ori Megidish
Age 19
An Israeli soldier who was abducted by Hamas was rescued in a joint operation between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA).
Yocheved Lifshitz
Age 85
Yocheved is one of the founders of Nir Oz kibbutz and worked as a photographer and a teacher at the regional high school, according to a community statement. She was released along with Nurit Cooper. The remaining hostages include Yocheved and Nurit’s husbands, Oded Lifshitz and Amiram Cooper, both in their eighties.
Nurit Cooper
Age 79
Nurit worked in early childhood education and at the local paint factory in Nir Oz kibbutz. The remaining hostages include Yocheved and Nurit’s husbands, Oded Lifshitz and Amiram Cooper, both in their eighties.
Judith Tai Raanan
Age 59
The Raanans are from Chicago, Illinois and had been visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, when they were taken hostage on October 7.
Natalie Raanan
Age 17
The Raanans are from Chicago, Illinois and had been visiting relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, when they were taken hostage on October 7.