David Cunio (born May 21, 1990) is an Israeli electrical engineering technician and actor.[1] He was abducted to the Gaza Strip with his brother, Ariel Cunio and others, on October 7, 2023, during the massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz and was released on October 13, 2025, as part of an Israel-Hamas agreement.[2]
David Cunio was born to Silvia and Luis Cunio, an Argentine-born couple, and grew up in Kibbutz Nir Oz. While living in Argentina, his parents were members of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement.[3] He has an older brother, Lucas,[4] a twin brother, Eitan, and a younger brother, Ariel, who was also kidnapped to Gaza from Nir Oz.
David was hiding in the safe room of his Nir Oz residence when Hamas gunmen set fire to it in an effort to force him out with his family, of whom they took 8 hostage, the largest number taken from a single family during the 7 October attack.[10][11]
A sign in Ashdod featuring photos of David and his brother Ariel Cunio alongside the text: “Don’t leave us behind.”
Captivity
During their abduction, Cunio, Sharon, and Yuli were separated from his other daughter, Emma.[6] During the first ten days of their captivity, the three hostages were held in a Palestinian home in Khan Younis.[6] Afterwards, the three hostages were moved to Nasser Hospital, where they were reunited with Emma a few days later.[6] On November 24, 2023, Cunio was separated from his wife and children.[12]
On November 27, 2023, Cunio's wife, and their two daughters were released from captivity as part of a hostage-release agreement.[11] On the same day, Cunio was moved to the tunnels, where he encountered his best friend, Yarden Bibas.[13] A few days later, Bibas would be moved to where Cunio was being held, where they would remain for a few weeks, before Bibas was moved again.[13]
On January 30, 2025, Arbel Yehud, the partner of Cunio's brother Ariel, was released during the second hostage-release deal.[14][15]
In January 2025, Cunio's wife publicly appealed in Arabic to Hamas, asking for a sign of life regarding David.[16]
In February 2025, the film A Letter to David, directed by Tom Shoval (who also directed Youth), premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.[17][18][5] During the red-carpet event, the filmmakers displayed images of David and Ariel Cunio in an effort to raise awareness of their continued captivity.[19]
On 17 February 2025, Cunio's family received a sign of life from him.[20][21] Ahead of the second anniversary of his abduction, the family was invited to participate in events held in Argentina.[3]
Release
On October 13, 2025, David Cunio was released from Hamascaptivity together with his brother Ariel as part of a hostage-release agreement.[22][23][9][24]
David Cunio in an official visit of the White House in which he, alongside his brother Ariel and other released hostages met U.S. President Trump
Following his release and hospitalization, Cunio returned home[27] and began a process of physical and psychological rehabilitation.[28]
In November 2025, Cunio participated in an official visit to the United States, where he was among a group of freed Israeli hostages who met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Cunio attended the event together with other former hostages, including his brother Ariel.[29]
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