Ziv Berman (born 10 September 1997) is an Israeli civilian who was abducted along with his twin brother, Gali, from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Hamas-led attacks on the morning of 7 October 2023. The brothers were taken into the Gaza Strip and became among the hostages held during the Gaza war.[1] After 738 days in captivity, they were released on 13 October 2025, together with 18 other surviving hostages, as part of the third hostage-release agreement.[2][3] The agreement dictated the release of Palestinian prisoners, in exchange for the hostages.[4][5]
Ziv Berman was born on 10 September 1997, along with his twin brother, Gali, and raised in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The brothers lived in adjacent homes in the kibbutz's young-adult neighborhood.[1][3][6]
Before their abduction, the brothers worked together as lighting and sound technicians[7][8] and were known supporters of the football clubs Maccabi Tel Aviv and Liverpool.[9] The twins were described by news outlets as “Maccabi loving,” and after their return they attended their first football match together at Bloomfield Stadium, thanking supporters for their encouragement during captivity.[10][11]
Abduction
On the morning of 7 October 2023, during the Hamasattack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Ziv was in the safe room of his home when militants set the house on fire. Forced to flee, he was captured along with his brother Gali and another resident, Emily Damari and taken to the Gaza Strip.[12] Ten days later, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) informed the family that the brothers had likely been abducted into Gaza.
Captivity
Testimonies from released hostages indicated that the Berman twins were separated during their captivity in Gaza and held in harsh conditions, including limited contact and food shortages.[2][13] Additional accounts provided to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum reported that released captives had seen or supplied video evidence confirming the brothers' isolation and the difficult conditions in which they were held.[6]
In February 2025, the family received a proof-of-life indicating that both Ziv and Gali were alive.[9][13]
Release
Gali and Zivi Berman reunite upon their release
After 738 days in captivity, Ziv Berman was released on 13 October 2025 together with his twin brother Gali and 18 other hostages as part of the third Israel–Hamas hostage-release agreement.[2][3]
Following their return, the brothers were transported to Sheba Medical Center for medical evaluation and treatment, where they were reunited with their family along with other hostages released in the final group of 20 living captives returned under the ceasefire deal.[14][15]
Post-release activities
After their release, the Berman twins met with the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog.[14]
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