Prisoner of War Eliyah Cohen to Marry Fiancée with Ketubah Written by Hero’s Father

Eliyah Cohen, a survivor of a Hamas captivity ordeal, is set to marry his fiancée Ziv Avud this Sunday, August 19, in a large ceremony in the Sharon region attended by around 1,000 guests who supported the couple through their recovery journey. The wedding ceremony will be officiated by former Chief Rabbi David Lau. A unique aspect of the event is the ketubah (Jewish marriage contract), which will be written by Moshe Shapira, father of the late hero Enar Shapira, who saved many lives during the deadly attack on October 7, 2023.

During the attack on a fortified bus shelter near Re’im, Cohen and Avud sought refuge with dozens of others as terrorists threw grenades inside. Enar Shapira heroically intercepted the grenades, pushing them out repeatedly until he was fatally wounded, saving many lives including Avud’s. Cohen was abducted by Hamas militants from the shelter and held captive in Gaza for 505 days under harsh conditions before being released in a prisoner exchange. Cohen suffered a severe foot injury during the attack and recently underwent complex surgery, which he said was successful, though he faces a long rehabilitation.

Throughout Cohen’s captivity, Avud tirelessly advocated for his return, holding onto hope they would one day build a life together according to Jewish tradition. To symbolize this profound connection between their shared past trauma and future, they asked Moshe Shapira to write their ketubah, creating a living tribute to Enar Shapira’s sacrifice. The couple described this gesture as a deeply emotional closure and a meaningful way to honor the hero who changed their lives forever.