It has been two years since Hamas took Gali and Ziv Berman hostage during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack on Israel. Their brother, Liran Berman, has been fighting every day to bring them home.
Forty-eight hostages, including 26 confirmed public deaths, remain in Gaza. Both Gali and Ziv Berman are among the hostages who may still be alive. Twenty hostages are thought To remain alive, according to the Israeli prime minister’s office, but the names of two hostages believed to be dead have not yet been announced.
As talks between Hamas and Israel continue over the potential release of the remaining hostages and a ceasefire, Liran Berman expressed optimism in an interview on ABC News Live on Tuesday.
“We are more hopeful than we have been for a long time… that we can reach an agreement,” he said. of the latest peace talks, currently underway in Egypt.
The talks come after Hamas responded positively to President Donald Trump’s proposal for peace in Gaza, although it said more negotiations would be needed before signing a full deal.
Liran Berman said she hasn’t received any confirmation that her 28-year-old siblings are alive since February, but she is hopeful.
“They are alive, they are strong, they are surviving,” he said. “They are survivors.”
“I want to tell you that I’m sorry it’s taking so long,” he added.
Ziv Berman is seen in this undated photo.
Hostage Families Forum
Gali Berman is seen in this undated photo.
Hostage Families Forum
Liran Berman said he suffers from guilt that he was not with his younger brothers when they were kidnapped during the Oct. 7 attack. He said he also feels guilty about enjoying the freedom of every day.
“This is the guilt I live with. And I promised them that I would be an uncle to their future children, and I will do whatever it takes, no matter how long it will take,” he said.
Advocating for his brothers thrust Liran Berman into the spotlight, a spotlight he said he did not want, but said he will see his mission through until all the hostages are freed.
“This is not what I signed up for, this is not the life I wanted for myself,” he said. “And I will do it, I will do it until the end, until the last hostage… but I want to be anonymous again.”
