Former Hamas Hostages Marry After Surviving October 7th Attack

Sasha Trophanov and Sapir Cohen, who were both held hostage by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad respectively, have married, marking a remarkable turn of events after their relationship was on the brink of collapse before the October 7th attacks. Cohen was held for 55 days, while Trophanov endured 498 days in captivity.

Before their abduction, the couple had been struggling in their relationship, with Cohen wanting a serious commitment and marriage while Trophanov, who had recently moved to central Israel, was not ready. They had even planned to discuss separating shortly before October 7th. Trophanov recalled that if the attack hadn't occurred, they likely would have ended their relationship.

During their captivity, both Trophanov and Cohen found strength and support, with Cohen actively participating in efforts to secure Trophanov's release and supporting his mother. Upon Trophanov's release, Cohen was present, despite initial hesitation, and their shared experience, including their time in captivity, deepened their bond.

Their wedding, held in July, was attended by 500 guests, including the President and the head of the Hostages and Missing Persons Directorate. The ceremony featured songs that held significance for them during their ordeal. The couple acknowledges their relationship's survival and their own lives as miracles, navigating the challenges of post-traumatic growth and rebuilding their lives, including finding new career paths.

They are currently living in temporary housing in Tel Aviv while planning a permanent move to Herzliya. Trophanov has returned to a part-time engineering role, while Cohen is exploring new career options after leaving her software engineering job. They are actively sharing their story through lectures abroad, focusing on their relationship's resilience and the lessons learned about communication and emotional openness.