Father of Hero Who Saved Hostages to Write Ketubah for Freed Captive and Fiancée
Nearly three years after a life-changing hostage rescue, Eli-H Cohen and Ziv Avod are preparing for their wedding on October 7, 2025, marking a poignant closure to their ordeal. The couple was present in a fortified Israeli outpost in Re'im during a deadly attack when Enar Shapira bravely defended the shelter by blocking grenades, saving many lives. Ziv survived the attack, while Eli-H was abducted to Gaza and held captive for 505 days before returning to Israel.
In a meaningful gesture, the couple chose Moshe Shapira, Enar's father, to write their ketubah, the traditional Jewish marriage contract. Eli-H and Ziv expressed deep emotion about this connection, calling it a "circle closing" that words cannot fully capture. They described the upcoming wedding as a "small victory of life" after their long journey.
The wedding symbolizes not only their commitment to each other but also remembrance and the continuation of life following trauma. The couple thanked Moshe Shapira for the special bond and the honor of his participation in their ceremony. This event is set to take place exactly one week from the announcement, on Wednesday, October 7, 2025.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
