Last week, Israel marked two years since the horrific massacres of October 7, 2023, the nation stood together remembering and giving thanks that the last of the living hostages have finally come home. The joy of reunion was real, but it was not complete. For every embrace broadcast across our screens, there remain families who still wait, not for celebration, but for the return of their loved ones murdered in captivity, whose remains are still being held in Gaza.

For these families, time has not moved on. Their grief is suspended between hope and horror. While the world counts the living who returned, they count the days since they last saw the faces of their loved ones who have yet to return. For them, the phrase “Bring them home now” has not lost its urgency. It has deepened in meaning.

The Unfinished Work of Return

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas was obligated not only to release the living but also to return the bodies of those murdered in captivity. Yet, while every surviving hostage has now been freed, fifteen families still wait for the chance to bury their loved ones with dignity.

Their demand is simple, moral, and profoundly human. To restore peace to their souls and to those who love them. In Judaism, burial is a sacred duty, an act of honoring the divine image within every person. To deny it is to deny humanity itself. The families’ longing is for the right to say goodbye, to pray, and to mourn.

Lives That Still Speak

Each of the names below represents not only a life taken but a life remembered, a story unfinished, yet still part of the nation’s heartbeat. 

Before you scroll past their names, stop for a moment.

What if it were your husband?

Your son?

Your grandfather?

For fifteen families in Israel, that question isn’t hypothetical, 

It’s their daily reality.

Their loved ones were murdered. Their bodies are still being held in Gaza.

This is their story. These are their names:

Tamir Adar, 38 — A devoted father, husband, and lifelong resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was killed while defending his community during the Hamas invasion on October 7, 2023. When the attack began, Tamir rushed to join the kibbutz’s security team, making sure his wife and children were safe in a reinforced room. His bravery cost him his life, and his body was taken into Gaza, where it remains.

For months, his fate was unknown until January 5, when his family received confirmation of his death and abduction. They sat shiva, mourning a man remembered for his love of nature, his generosity, and his steadfast devotion to his family. Tamir is survived by his wife, Hadas, their children Asaf, and Neta, his parents, siblings, and many relatives who will forever carry his memory.

His cousin, Adva, wrote: “Tamush, your smile will continue to light the way for us.” Tamir’s legacy as a fighter, a family man, and a role model endures through the love he gave and the community he protected. He was a hero whose final wish was simple yet profound: to keep moving forward, always with gratitude. We remember Tamir. 

Sahar Baruch, 24 — Kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023. For two months, Sahar’s family held on to hope that he was alive. In an IDF mission, originally intended to rescue hostage Noa Argamani, the building where Sahar was being held was targeted. As soldiers entered, they came under heavy fire. In the chaos of battle, Sahar was killed.

Sahar loved judo and cycling and was set to begin studying electrical engineering. His family continues to live with unbearable grief, the pain of his loss, with his body in Gaza.

We remember Sahar. We honor his bravery and his humanity. 

Amiram Cooper, 85 — One of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was abducted from his home on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists stormed the community and massacred one-quarter of its residents.

He and his wife, Nurit, were violently torn from their home after terrorists opened fire on their door. The couple was dragged into Gaza and held underground in a dark, airless room alongside other kidnapped members of their kibbutz. For Nurit, captivity lasted 49 days until her release on October 23, 2023. But for Amiram, it ended in tragedy. On June 3, 2024, the IDF confirmed that he had been killed in Hamas captivity.

Amiram was far more than a hostage. He was an economist, a poet, a composer, a father of three, a grandfather of nine, and a visionary who helped build Kibbutz Nir Oz and strengthen the Western Negev. His love for family, community, and country defined his life’s work.

His death leaves a wound that cannot be measured. His family bears the unbearable weight of absence, and his people mourn the loss of a leader, a creator, and a friend. We remember Amiram.

Manny Godard, 73 — Manny Godard, 73, was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, in his home in Kibbutz Be’eri, alongside his wife, Ayelet, 63. His body was taken into Gaza, where it remains.

Manny was a father, a husband, and a beloved member of his community, a man remembered for his warmth, humor, and deep love for his family. In February 2024, the IDF confirmed that he had been murdered during the Hamas assault and that his body was being held by terrorists in Gaza.

In March 2025, the IDF and Shin Bet launched a daring operation in Rafah, hoping to bring Manny home. The soldiers recovered findings associated with the body, but his body could not be retrieved. His daughter, Bar, later shared how the officer who had accompanied their family since the massacre came to her door with the news not of his return, but of yet another heartbreak.

Manny’s story is one of love, loss, and enduring courage. His family continues to fight for his return, not through more bloodshed, but through compassion, unity, and truth. We remember Manny. We honor his life. 

Dror Or, 48 — Brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, in his home in Kibbutz Be’eri, and his body was taken into Gaza. That morning, terrorists stormed the Or family home, setting it ablaze and forcing Dror, his wife Yonat, and their children, Noam and Alma, from their safe room. A neighbor witnessed the family being dragged away by terrorists. Days later, Yonat’s body was found. Dror and the two children were taken hostage into Gaza.

On November 25, during a temporary ceasefire, Noam and Alma were released. On May 2, 2024, Kibbutz Be’eri confirmed what the family had feared: that Dror had been killed and his body remained in captivity.

Dror was more than a victim of terror. He was a chef and cheesemaker at the Be’eri Dairy, known for its award-winning artisanal cheeses and the warmth he brought to his work. His wife, Yonat, was a creative entrepreneur who founded Ayuna, a carpentry and furniture line in the kibbutz. Together, they built a home filled with love, creativity, and purpose.

Dror is survived by his three children, Yahli, Noam, and Alma, who now carry forward the legacy of two extraordinary parents taken too soon.

We remember Dror. His life was a testament to family, craftsmanship, and community. 

Lior Rudaeff, 61 — A devoted ambulance driver, volunteer medic, and pillar of his community in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, was killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. His body was taken into Gaza and remains there, even as his family and community continue to long for his return.

That morning, Lior rose early, preparing for a planned ride to the Ramon Crater, when the kibbutz emergency squad called him to defend his home. Without hesitation, he answered the call, sending love to his wife, Yaffa, and their four children before communication was lost.

Lior’s courage, dedication, and selflessness in protecting others define his legacy. Even in death, his life stands as a testament to bravery, love, and devotion. His family continues to honor his memory and fight to bring him home. We remember Lior.

Aryeh Zalmanovich, 85 — Arye was a father of two, a grandfather of five, and one of the founding members of Kibbutz Nir Oz. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists abducted him from his home during their brutal onslaught.

It was later confirmed that Arye died a few weeks into his captivity. Fellow hostage Farhan al-Qadi, who was rescued alive, shared that the two were held together in Gaza, forming a bond in the darkest of circumstances. Farhan recalled that Arye spoke often of his family, his kibbutz, and the life he had built since 1957, even as everything he loved was destroyed before his eyes.

Elderly and ailing, Arye was denied his glasses, hearing aid, food, and medicine. His son, Boaz, said it simply: “He was murdered in that way by torment of the body and mind.”

Arye’s body remains in Gaza. His family longs to lay him to rest with dignity. 

Arye’s life was one of devotion to his family, his community, and his people. His death in captivity is a stain on humanity. We remember him. 

Sudthisak Rinthalak, 43, — An agricultural worker from the Rattanawapi District of Nong Khai province in northeastern Thailand, was murdered by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023. His body was taken into Gaza, where it remains.

Sudthisak had been working in Israel since 2017, supporting his family back home by sending money each month to his parents, Thong Ma and Orn. Three months before the attack, he was assigned to work in Be’eri, a quiet farming community near the Gaza border. That Saturday morning, as terrorists stormed the kibbutz, his family lost all contact with him. Months later, Israeli authorities confirmed that he and fellow Thai worker Sonthaya Oakkharasr were murdered during the massacre, and their bodies were taken hostage to Gaza.

Sudthisak was the “pillar of the family,” his father said, a devoted son, a hardworking man who labored abroad to lift his family out of poverty. “With the loss of the family’s main breadwinner,” his father added, “I admit I’m struggling right now. I barely have money to pay the electricity bill.”

He was a man who came to Israel seeking a better future, whose kindness and dedication touched everyone around him. His family continues to mourn from afar, carrying both love and loss across the miles that separate them.

We remember Sudthisak. His life was one of courage, sacrifice, and devotion. 

Joshua Mollel, 21 — Joshua Mollel, 21, an agricultural intern from Tanzania, was taken hostage and killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. His body remains in Gaza.

Joshua had arrived in Israel just weeks earlier, in mid-September, for his first trip abroad. He was living and working at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, eager to learn advanced farming techniques and fulfill his dream of one day opening his own agricultural business back home in Tanzania.

When Hamas terrorists stormed the kibbutz, Joshua was abducted and disappeared without a trace. On December 13, 2023, Kibbutz Nahal Oz confirmed the heartbreaking truth: he had been murdered in captivity.

Joshua was a young man full of hope, curiosity, and a deep love for the land. He came to Israel to learn how to cultivate life, yet his own was stolen by senseless violence.

Even in death, Joshua’s story reminds us of the shared humanity that transcends borders, and of the innocent lives cut short by terror. He deserves to be brought home. We remember Joshua. 

Ran Gvili, 24 — A dedicated police officer from the Yasam patrol unit in Israel’s Negev District, was killed on October 7, 2023, while courageously defending the community of Alumim from Hamas terrorists.

During the assault, Ran was abducted into Gaza. For months, his fate was unknown until January 30, when updated intelligence confirmed that he had been murdered by Hamas on the day of the massacre. His body remains in captivity.

Ran was more than a police officer; he was a protector, a fighter, and a hero who stood in the face of unimaginable evil. He gave his life defending others, embodying the very spirit of courage and duty that defines Israel’s defenders.

He deserves to be brought home. His sacrifice must never be forgotten. We remember Ran.

Itay Chen, 19 — Sgt. Itay Chen from Netanya, served in the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists stormed the Gaza border. Amid the chaos of battle, he was killed defending Israel, and his body was taken into Gaza.

For months, his family held on to hope, believing he was among the living hostages, until intelligence confirmed the heartbreaking truth, Itay had fallen that day. Yet his body remains in Hamas captivity.

A dual US–Israeli citizen, Itay was last heard from in the morning, holding the line in his tank as communities along the border came under attack. His father, Ruby Chen, has since become a tireless advocate for the hostages, speaking out for all the families still waiting.

The Chen family has vowed not to sit shiva until Itay is returned, standing shoulder to shoulder with others demanding a deal to bring every loved one home.

Itay was a son, a brother, a friend, and a soldier who gave his life defending his people. We remember Itay.

Oz Daniel, 19 — Sgt. Oz Daniel served with distinction in the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade, 77th Battalion. On October 7, 2023, amid the brutal Hamas assault, he fought courageously at the Gaza border until his final moments. He was killed in battle, and his body was taken by terrorists into Gaza.

For months, his family and his nation carried the heavy burden of uncertainty. Eventually, Israel’s chief rabbi declared his death, and the IDF confirmed what his loved ones feared most: Oz had fallen on that darkest of days, and his body remains in Gaza.

Oz was more than a soldier. He was a son, a friend, and a young man with his whole life ahead of him. His sacrifice reflects the bravery and devotion of Israel’s defenders, who stood against unimaginable terror to protect their people.

We remember Oz. We honor his courage. 

Omer Neutra, 21 — An American-Israeli lone soldier from New York, was killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, and his body was taken into Gaza, where it remains.

Omer served as a tank platoon commander in the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade, 77th Battalion. On the morning of October 7, he was stationed along the Gaza border near Kibbutz Nir Oz with three fellow soldiers, Sgt. Shaked Dahan, Sgt. Nimrod Cohen, and Sgt. Oz Daniel, when their tank was ambushed by Hamas with RPGs and explosives. All four were abducted into Gaza.

For more than a year, Omer’s family held on to hope that he was alive. Then, in December 2024, after 14 months of anguish, the IDF confirmed his death based on new findings and intelligence. He was posthumously recognized as having fallen in battle.

Born and raised in Long Island, Omer was an athlete and leader, captain of his school’s basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams. He loved sports, the New York Knicks, and the friends and family who cheered him on. After a gap year in Israel in 2020, he chose to stay, deferring college to enlist in the IDF.

Omer’s parents, Ronen and Orna, have become voices of strength and remembrance, vowing to see their son brought home for burial in the land he gave his life to defend.

We remember Omer, a son, a soldier, a leader, and a bridge between two nations. His courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. 

Asaf Hamami, 40 –  commander of the IDF’s Gaza Division Southern Brigade, was killed battling Hamas terrorists at Kibbutz Nirim on October 7, 2023. His body was taken into Gaza, where it remains.

That morning, Asaf was spending Shabbat at the Gaza Division base near the border with his 5-year-old son, Alon. When the Hamas assault began, he handed his son to soldiers to bring him to safety, and immediately set out to fight. For eight weeks, he was listed as a hostage, until the IDF confirmed his death on December 2, officially declaring him a “fallen IDF soldier held captive by a terror group.”

Asaf was remembered by his family, comrades, and commanders as a brilliant and devoted leader, witty, humble, and fearless. “You were purely a human being, purely a commander, purely a warrior,” said Brig. Gen. Avi Rosenfeld at his funeral. “The way you fought and fell defined who you were.”

His wife, Saphir, called him “the perfect, most suitable partner,” saying, “The deal between us was that you take care of the country, and I take care of everything else. My heart is broken and crushed, but also at peace with your decision, because what hurts me today is also what made me fall in love with you.”

His parents, Clara and Ilan, spoke of a son who led with integrity and compassion, who never sought glory but lived by deep conviction. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said it best: “When danger lurks… that’s exactly where Hamami would be found.”

Asaf is survived by his wife, Saphir, their three children, and his parents, Clara and Ilan.

We remember Asaf, a commander, a husband, a father, and a man of courage whose life embodied service, love, and sacrifice.

Hadar Goldin, 23 — Hadar Goldin, 23, a lieutenant in the IDF’s Givati Brigade, was killed on August 1, 2014, when Hamas terrorists ambushed his unit in southern Gaza just hours into a humanitarian ceasefire. His body was dragged into a tunnel and has remained in Gaza to this day.

A devoted son, brother, and fiancé, Hadar was known for his deep faith, optimism, and leadership. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of lieutenant after falling in combat while protecting his fellow soldiers.

For eleven years, his parents, Leah and Simha, his twin brother Tzur, and his sisters have fought tirelessly for his return. Leah, a software engineer, has become an active and outspoken advocate for the hostages and fallen soldiers, reminding the nation of its sacred promise: never to leave anyone behind.

He was preparing for his wedding just a week before his death. For over a decade, Hadar’s family has lived in the painful waiting, unable to bury their son, yet unwavering in their pursuit of justice.

Hadar’s memory lives on as a symbol of faith, duty, and the unbreakable bond between a soldier and his nation.

Fifteen stories. Fifteen lives that still call us to act.

For the families, these names are their world. For the nation, they are our conscience. The duty to bring them home is not political; it is moral, spiritual, and eternal. The Jewish commandment to bury the dead (Deuteronomy 21:23) obligates every generation to honor the image of God in every human being. Each body withheld is a soul denied rest, a wound in the collective heart of Israel.

Until They Are All Home

To bring home the dead is to reclaim the humanity that terror tried to steal. It is to say that Israel’s strength is measured not only by its victories, but by its compassion, by how it cherishes each life and honors each loss. These 15 names are not numbers in a report; they are stories written in the soul of a nation.

The living have returned, thank God. But our mission is not complete.

Until every last one is home.