Former Hostage Eli-H Cohen Marries Ziv Avod in Emotional Ceremony After Harrowing Kidnapping

Eli-H Cohen, who survived over 500 days in Hamas captivity, married his longtime partner Ziv Avod on Wednesday evening at Havat Ronit, in front of 1,000 guests. The couple’s wedding was marked by a poignant moment when Israeli singer Amir Benayoun performed his classic song "You Won Everything With Me," which took on deeper meaning given Cohen’s ordeal.

Cohen was kidnapped from a "death shelter" during an attack on October 7, 2023, while Avod managed to escape. After 505 days in captivity, Cohen was released and returned to Israel in February 2025. Avod shared in a February 2024 interview how they met through trance music communities and how she initiated contact with Cohen. She also revealed that Cohen had secretly purchased an engagement ring before his abduction, intending to surprise her.

On the day of the attack, Cohen and Avod were at a party with Avod’s nephew Amit Ben Abida and his girlfriend Karin Schwartzman. The four hid in a bomb shelter near Kibbutz Re’im. Amit and Karin were among 16 people killed there, while Avod was one of seven survivors. Cohen was abducted alongside others. Avod recounted the trauma of the attack and how she initially feared Cohen had been killed, only to later see footage of his kidnapping.

After his release, Cohen returned to the shelter and praised the bravery of Iner Shapira, who defended the group from grenades during the attack. The wedding celebrated their survival and resilience, symbolizing hope and unity after a tragic chapter.