Israeli Captive Survivor Eli-H Cohen Marries Ziv Avod After Decade Together

Eli-H Cohen, an Israeli captive survivor, and his partner Ziv Avod, both 29, celebrated their wedding on August 19, 2026, at Havat Ronit with over 1,000 guests including close family. The ceremony was officiated by Israel's Chief Rabbi David Lau. This milestone follows a decade-long relationship and a harrowing 505-day captivity ordeal after Cohen was kidnapped from a party near Gaza on October 7, 2024, where he was severely injured. Despite undergoing a complex foot surgery in April 2026 and fearing he might not stand at his own wedding, Cohen broke the glass, symbolizing triumph over adversity.

Their love story began in high school at age 14 and was reignited years later through social media. After Cohen’s kidnapping, Avod led a global campaign for his release, becoming a poignant public figure, notably photographed alone in a red dress waiting for him in Tel Aviv. Cohen was freed in February 2025, and the couple marked their engagement in January 2026 alongside other captive survivors. In July 2026, they held a traditional henna night where Cohen wore a garment embroidered with the number of days he was held captive and a heartfelt "Thank you, Dad" message.

Their wedding video recreated the moment Avod waited alone, now with Cohen finally sitting beside her, fulfilling her promise that her next dress would be white. The event symbolizes a powerful closure to a traumatic chapter and the beginning of their new life together.