Israeli Hostage Eli-H Cohen and Ziv Avod Celebrate Wedding After Harrowing Captivity and Recovery

Eli-H Cohen, who was held captive by Hamas, and Ziv Avod, who fought worldwide for his release, have finally married after a long and difficult journey. Their story began on October 7 during the deadly attack when Eli-H was abducted to Gaza, and Ziv did not know if he was alive. Ziv became a symbol of the struggle through her iconic red and yellow dresses worn at public demonstrations demanding his freedom. After Eli-H’s release, the couple faced immense physical and emotional challenges, including Eli-H’s severe injury from a bullet lodged in his ankle joint, requiring surgery and relearning to walk.

Despite the public celebration of their return, Eli-H revealed that the real struggle began after the initial support faded. He described reliving traumatic moments and the difficulty of reintegrating into daily life. Ziv also spoke about the emotional barriers she had to dismantle to reconnect with Eli-H, emphasizing the complexity of healing after years of separation and trauma.

Their wedding was not only a personal milestone but also a tribute to loved ones lost, including Ziv’s nephew Amit Ben-Avraham, who was murdered in the same attack, and Eli-H’s close friend Yonatan. Their voices were digitally recreated to bless the couple during the ceremony. The wedding included a heartfelt "Shema Yisrael" prayer, symbolizing national and personal resilience.

Looking ahead, the couple expressed hopes for a joyful family life with at least five children, marking their wedding as both a victory over adversity and a new beginning. Their story underscores the profound challenges faced by hostages and their families, as well as the power of love and determination to overcome trauma.