Twin Hostages Gali and Ziv Berman Mark Second Birthday in Gaza Captivity

Twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7, 2023 attacks, marked their 28th birthday on September 10, 2025, while held hostage in Gaza. This somber occasion signifies their second birthday spent in captivity, prompting a heartfelt message from their family. Their family shared, "Our beloved Gali and Ziv, how we feared this day would come — a second birthday in hell."

The brothers, who worked as lighting technicians, were kidnapped from their home in Kfar Aza, a community heavily impacted by the Hamas assault. They had chosen to remain in the kibbutz to assist their mother in caring for their father, who suffers from dementia and Parkinson's disease. The Berman family learned from released hostages that Gali and Ziv were separated shortly after their arrival in Gaza, a separation their elder brother, Liran Berman, noted as the longest they have ever experienced.

Despite the prolonged captivity, the Berman family received crucial signs of life for the twins in early 2025, conveyed by hostages who were subsequently freed as part of various agreements. Their older brother, Liran Berman, has become a prominent and tireless voice in the global campaign for their release, continuously advocating for their return alongside other remaining hostages. In a poignant display of solidarity and remembrance, a symbolic table was set up in their honor in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, underscoring the community's enduring hope and the collective call for their freedom.

The family's message, shared publicly, conveyed profound anguish and unwavering hope for their sons' return. "We watch videos from past birthdays, from the normal world, and our hearts break. We know you don’t understand how you can still be there, or when you will be free again," they expressed, highlighting the psychological toll of the prolonged ordeal. They concluded with a powerful promise: "We promise you this will happen — you will return to the safe embrace of your mother. Hold on just a little longer, survive, and dream of a happy ending.” Gali and Ziv Berman are reportedly among the last residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza still held captive, symbolizing the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a resolution to secure the release of all individuals abducted on October 7.