Couple's Love Story Survives Hamas Captivity, Leads to Wedding
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
A couple on the brink of separation before the October 7th attack, Sasha Trufanov and Sapir Kohen, have married after enduring separate periods of Hamas captivity. Trufanov was held for 498 days, while Kohen was released after 55. Their shared trauma strengthened their bond, leading to a wedding attended by 500 guests, including the Israeli President.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Couple married after surviving separate Hamas captivity periods.
- They were planning to break up before the October 7th attack.
- Sasha Trufanov was held for 498 days, Sapir Kohen for 55.
- Kohen actively campaigned for Trufanov's release while he was captive.
- Their wedding was attended by President Isaac Herzog.
- They are now adjusting to civilian life after their ordeal.
Sasha Trufanov and Sapir Kohen, a couple on the verge of breaking up before the October 7th Hamas attack, have defied the odds and married after enduring separate periods of captivity. Trufanov was held for 498 days, while Kohen was released after 55 days. Their story, shared in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, highlights their resilience and the unexpected strengthening of their bond.
Before the attack, the couple, who had been together for a year, were planning to end their relationship due to fundamental differences. "Our relationship was falling apart, honestly, we were going to break up right before October 7th," Kohen recalled. Trufanov added, "If what happened hadn't happened, right after the holidays we would have told each other that the relationship was over." Despite their planned separation, Kohen waited for Trufanov and actively campaigned for his release, becoming a support for his mother.
Trufanov described his captivity as a period of intense suffering, including being shot in the legs during an escape attempt and enduring physical and psychological abuse. Kohen, held in Gaza, experienced her own trauma. Upon Trufanov's release in February 2025, the couple, who had previously lived together, found themselves transformed by their experiences. They reconnected, with Trufanov proposing just five months after his release.
Their wedding, held in July 2025, was attended by 500 guests, including President Isaac Herzog and Nitzan Alon, head of the hostage rescue task force. The ceremony was deeply emotional, with both the bride and groom and guests moved to tears. The couple is now navigating a return to civilian life, with Trufanov resuming a part-time engineering role and Kohen seeking new career paths after her previous programming job felt untenable.
Trufanov and Kohen acknowledge the immense challenges of readjusting. Trufanov struggles with career stagnation and a shift in priorities from financial gain to existential meaning. Kohen, who previously worked as a programmer, is exploring new avenues. They met through a dating app, and their initial dates were marked by unusual incidents, including theft and a jackal encounter, which they now view with a sense of dark humor. Their shared ordeal has forged a profound connection, leading them to believe their survival and renewed relationship are a miracle.
Mentioned
