Nova Party Survivor Marries Fiancée After 505 Days in Hamas Captivity

Eli-H Cohen, a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre and a former hostage held in Gaza for 505 days, recently married his fiancée, Ziv. Cohen was abducted on October 7, 2023, after purchasing an engagement ring for Ziv, who survived the Nova party attack. He was released in February 2025.

In their first interview as a married couple, Cohen and Ziv shared their joy and the challenges they faced. Cohen described his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety attacks, and fear of leaving home following his return and a leg surgery. "The soul remembers these things," he stated.

Ziv recounted the overwhelming emotion of reuniting with Cohen on their wedding day, comparing the feeling to their initial reunion after his release. "The moment of the meeting, when I saw him for the first time after a week, it felt to me like the meeting at Rambam," she said, referring to the hospital where he was treated.

Cohen spoke about the deep foundation of their relationship, built on strong friendship and a shared desire for success. "We both understood that there is something here that is beyond the limits of any person's imagination," he said.

Looking ahead, the couple expressed a strong desire to start a family, with Ziv humorously stating their goal is "at least five" children. Cohen also reflected on his faith during captivity, noting a newfound closeness to God and a daily routine of prayer.