Two years after Hamas carried out its brutal Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, 48 hostages are still in the Gaza Strip. Of those who remain, 20 are believed to be alive, while 28, including two U.S. citizens, are confirmed to be deceased and their bodies remain in the hands of their captors.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement marking the anniversary as the U.S. seeks to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas based on President Donald Trump’s 20-Point Plan.
“On this second anniversary of Hamas’s heinous October 7 attacks, the United States remains steadfast in our support for Israel in our common fight against terrorism and our shared commitment to bringing an end to the suffering of all hostages and their families,” Rubio said. “[The president’s] 20-Point Plan offers a historic opportunity to close this dark chapter, and to build a foundation for lasting peace and security for all.”
This screengrab from a video released on Aug. 1, 2025, by Hamas shows Israeli hostage Evyatar David looking weak and malnourished. David was abducted during the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)
Evyatar David
Evyatar David was abducted from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023. Since being taken captive, David has appeared in propaganda films put out by his captors. One of the videos showed him and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, his childhood best friend who was also kidnapped, being forced to watch other hostages be freed.
In August, David was in a video that shocked the world and drew commentary from the White House. He looked frail — reduced to just 90 pounds — and was seen struggling to speak. Though, in a section that struck many, David was forced to dig his own grave. When asked about the video, Trump called it “horrible.”
Ilay David, Evyatar’s brother, addressed the United Nations after the video was released.
“As my younger brother, a living skeleton, was forced to speak and dig his grave, the chubby and well-fed hand of a Hamas terrorist entered the frame. Suddenly, Hamas confirmed what we have known for months — the terrorists have plenty of food. The only ones starving in Hamas’ tunnels are the hostages,” Ilay said.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal
Guy Gilboa-Dalal was taken from the Nova music festival along with his childhood best friend Evyatar David. In March, Gilboa-Dalal was featured in a propaganda video with David in which the two were forced to watch other hostages be released before having the door of the van they were sitting in slammed shut. Both of the men appeared thin, tired and frightened.
People lift a banner and portraits of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip during a rally in Tel Aviv marking the second anniversary of the attacks on Oct. 7, 2025. (AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Gali and Ziv Berman
Twins Gali and Ziv Berman, who turned 28 while in captivity, were taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, along with Emily Damari, who was freed earlier this year.
“Our beloved Gali and Ziv, how we feared this day would come – a second birthday in hell. You are 28 years old today, though we’re not sure you even know it,” the Berman family said in a statement, The Jerusalem Post reported. “You have lost your freedom and control over your own lives.”
While their current status is unknown, the Berman family was told that the brothers were separated shortly after arriving in Gaza.
