Former Hostage, Actress to Lead Oct. 7 Families' Memorial Ceremony

Former hostage Eli Sharabi and Israeli actress Shani Cohen will co-host the "National Commemorative Ceremony of the October 7 Families" in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The independent event is organized by Kumu, an Israeli citizen movement dedicated to preserving the memory of the October 7th Hamas attacks.

This marks the third iteration of the ceremony, which began in 2024 after some bereaved families opted out of the official government commemoration, citing perceived failures before and during the war with Hamas. Like previous years, the event will be broadcast by Israeli and international media and featured in global community gatherings.

Sharabi, who was held hostage by Hamas and lost his wife, two daughters, and brother in the attacks, expressed his deep emotion about participating. He stated he made a promise to his murdered family members that they and their fate would never be forgotten, emphasizing that October 7 must remain a permanent, indelible date in collective memory. He intends to honor all victims, including fallen soldiers and bereaved families.

Cohen highlighted the central role of October 7 in Israeli life, noting her work with many grieving families since the massacre. She expressed pride in co-hosting with Sharabi, calling him a man who "chose life despite everything he went through."

Omri Shafroni, an organizer who lost four relatives at Kibbutz Be'eri, described the ceremony as a space for "deep pain" but also for "shared responsibility and hope for the State of Israel." He characterized Sharabi as a survivor who "chose life after experiencing the worst" and Cohen as a "symbol of Israeli identity."