Full Breakdown
The Ordeal of Gali and Ziv Berman: Two Years in Hamas Captivity
1/5/2026, 4:06:19 AM
Captivity and Release
Gali and Ziv Berman, 28-year-old twins from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, were taken hostage during the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Alongside 17 other residents, they were abducted and held in separate locations in Gaza for over two years. Their release came as part of a truce agreement on October 9, 2025, brokered by the United States.
The twins' ordeal began when Gali responded to a distress call from a friend, Emily Damari, during the initial attack. Upon reaching her home, they were captured by Hamas operatives. Ziv, meanwhile, was taken from their family home. For the first six months, they were unaware of each other's fates, enduring severe conditions and isolation.
The Experience of Captivity
During their captivity, the brothers faced starvation and abuse. Gali described how he maintained hope of seeing Ziv again, often expressing his desire to his captors. After 183 days, they were briefly reunited, an emotional moment captured on video by their captors. However, they were separated again shortly after, with Hamas operatives citing concerns for their mother’s emotional state as a reason for the separation.
Ziv recounted a particularly harrowing experience when Israeli military operations intensified above their tunnel, leading him to believe death was imminent. Gali, held in a different location, found solace in writing down his thoughts and dreams in a hidden notebook.
Family Impact and Public Campaign
The twins' mother, Talia, faced immense emotional turmoil during their captivity. She initially received no information about their well-being for 11 days and struggled to believe reports suggesting they were alive. Talia's sister, Maccabit Meyer, led a public campaign advocating for the twins' release, while Talia chose to remain out of the public eye, fearing it would show weakness.
The twins' father, Doron, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, experienced a significant decline in health during their captivity, leading to hospitalization. Talia described the day she informed him of their abduction as the hardest of his life.
Aftermath and Moving Forward
Following their release, the Berman twins were taken to the Re’im base in Israel, where they reunited with their mother. Despite the joy of returning home, the trauma of their experience lingers. Gali and Ziv have not yet returned to Kfar Aza, which remains devastated from the attack. They currently reside in Kibbutz Beit Guvrin, expressing concerns about safety in their former home.
Talia acknowledged that no experience could repair the trauma they endured, stating, “That chapter is over.” The twins, while grateful to be free, continue to grapple with the psychological scars of their captivity, indicating that the journey to recovery will be long and challenging.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We don’t want to deal with the misery anymore,” — Gali Berman
- “It’s like they take a part of your body away from you,” — Ziv Berman
- “But he’s with us, he experiences things and he feels things, and I finally feel that my family is whole again.” — Talia Berman
- “Can anyone guarantee me safety there?” — Gali Berman
Criticism & Opposition
While the Berman twins have expressed a desire to move on from their traumatic experiences, the broader implications of their captivity raise questions about the ongoing conflict and the safety of civilians in the region. Their story highlights the personal toll of geopolitical strife, prompting discussions on the need for lasting peace and security in Israel and Gaza.
