Former hostages share survival stories at October 7 commemorations

During a United Nations commemoration marking three years since the October 7 attacks, former hostages shared their experiences of captivity and survival. Eliya Cohen, who was held by Hamas for 505 days after being abducted from the Nova music festival, addressed an audience at the U.N. headquarters in New York, stating, “I won.” Cohen, who was freed in February 2025, described enduring isolation, hunger, and physical abuse in Gaza tunnels.

Cohen was reunited with his wife, Ziv Abud, who also survived the initial attack but was separated from him during his captivity. Abud recounted the violence of the festival attack and her survival in a roadside shelter.

In Tel Aviv, former hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel expressed their perspectives on the ongoing conflict. Following news of a drone strike that killed one of their former captors, Aviva Siegel noted her opposition to the war, stating, “I am against the war,” while both emphasized their long-standing support for peace.