For Twin Brothers Abducted in the Oct. 7 Attacks, Adjusting to Freedom Is a New Challenge

The twin brothers, Gali and Ziv Berman, were among the dozens of civilians seized when militants stormed their kibbutz in southern Israel on 7 October 2023. Their families later learned that the pair had been taken to an undisclosed location in the Gaza Strip, held for more than a year before a coordinated rescue operation secured their release in October 2024. While the international community celebrated their freedom, the brothers now confront a quieter, more protracted battle: adapting to a world that has moved on while they were confined behind barbed wire.Medical examinations conducted immediately after their return revealed a range of physical injuries, some sustained during the initial assault and others resulting from the harsh conditions of captivity..

Both twins suffered chronic musculoskeletal pain, and Ziv continues to experience intermittent episodes of high blood pressure, a condition that doctors attribute to prolonged stress. Psychological assessments identified post‑traumatic stress disorder in both men, with symptoms including flashbacks, hyper‑vigilance and sleep disturbances. Their treatment plan, overseen by a multidisciplinary team at a Jerusalem hospital, combines medication, physiotherapy and regular counseling sessions aimed at rebuilding resilience.Beyond the clinical setting, the brothers face the practicalities of reintegrating into a society that has fundamentally altered in their absence..

The kibbutz where they grew up, once a close‑knit agricultural community, has seen a shift toward technology‑driven enterprises and a reduced population as younger families moved to urban centres. Gali, who had been studying agronomy before his abduction, now finds that the fields he once tended are managed by automated irrigation systems and drones, tools he never learned to operate. Ziv, an aspiring carpenter, discovers that the communal workshop has been repurposed as a co‑working space for remote freelancers, leaving him without a familiar trade to return to.The Israeli government has extended a series of reintegration measures for former hostages, including housing assistance, vocational training and financial subsidies..

Both brothers have enrolled in a state‑funded program that pairs them with mentors from the private sector, an initiative designed to accelerate skill acquisition and employment. Their first assignment involves a six‑month apprenticeship with a solar‑energy firm in the Negev desert, a field that promises growth but also demands rapid adaptation to new technologies. While officials stress the importance of economic self‑sufficiency for long‑term recovery, critics argue that the pace of these programmes may overlook individual readiness, especially for those still grappling with trauma.Family dynamics have also been reshaped by the ordeal..

Their parents, Miriam and David Berman, spent the intervening year in a state of ambiguous grief, maintaining hope while navigating bureaucratic inquiries and media speculation. The twins’ return has sparked a mixture of relief and tension, as the parents adjust to caring for adults who now require ongoing mental‑health support. Younger siblings, who were toddlers at the time of the attack, are now teenagers confronting their own questions about safety and identity..

Family therapist Yael Cohen notes that “the home becomes both a sanctuary and a reminder of loss,” emphasizing the need for structured communication and shared coping strategies.Community response in the kibbutz has been largely supportive, with neighbours organising welcome‑home gatherings and fundraising events to cover therapy costs. Yet some residents express unease about the lingering security threat that the 7 October attacks . A local council meeting last month debated the allocation of funds for additional perimeter fencing and surveillance drones, a proposal that has divided opinion between those who prioritize safety and those who fear an erosion of the kibbutz’s traditionally open ethos..

The Berman twins have been invited to speak at several of these forums, sharing their experiences in hopes of fostering a collective understanding of resilience.The broader Israeli society continues to grapple with the legacy of the October attacks, which left over 1,400 civilians dead and thousands more injured or displaced. National commemorations this year have incorporated testimonies from former hostages, highlighting the personal dimensions of a conflict often discussed in strategic terms. Prime Minister Yair Levi, speaking at a memorial ceremony, remarked that “the path to healing is not only about honoring the fallen but also about reintegrating those who survived.” His remarks were met with applause, yet activists on the sidelines warned that political rhetoric must translate into tangible resources for mental‑health services, which remain under‑funded compared with other post‑conflict initiatives.International observers have taken note of Israel’s approach to hostage reintegration, comparing it with practices in other conflict zones..

A recent report by the International Committee of the Red Cross commended the rapid medical response but called for a more holistic framework that integrates community‑based rehabilitation and long‑term psychosocial support. The report cited the Berman brothers as a case study in the challenges of transitioning from emergency care to sustainable livelihood programs. It recommended that governments allocate a fixed percentage of rescue operation budgets to post‑release services, a suggestion that Israeli policymakers have yet to formalise.For Gali and Ziv, the road ahead remains uncertain but marked by incremental milestones..

Six weeks into their apprenticeship, Gali has successfully installed his first solar panel array, an achievement he described as “a small victory that feels like reclaiming a part of my life.” Ziv, meanwhile, has taken up woodworking as a therapeutic hobby, crafting simple wooden toys for children in a local after‑school program. Both brothers acknowledge that setbacks are inevitable; Ziv admits that night‑time anxiety still interrupts his sleep, while Gali admits feeling “out of sync” during social gatherings where conversations quickly shift to topics he missed. Their therapist emphasizes that such fluctuations are normal, encouraging them to focus on steady progress rather than immediate perfection.As the first anniversary of their release approaches, the Berman family plans a modest ceremony at the kibbutz’s communal hall, inviting friends, neighbours and representatives from the ministries that assisted their rehabilitation..

The event will feature a moment of silence for all those still missing, a tribute to the resilience of the twins, and a pledge to continue supporting one another as they navigate the complexities of freedom after captivity. In a landscape reshaped by conflict, the brothers’ journey underscores the broader societal challenge of turning survival into a sustainable, hopeful future..