Herzog attends wedding of former Gaza hostages Sapir Cohen, Sasha Troufanov

President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog celebrated with former hostages Sapir Cohen and Sasha Troufanov at their wedding on Sunday evening. The couple, who were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 massacre, received a blessing from the presidential couple under the traditional Jewish bridal canopy, the huppah.

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We prayed for your return, we were moved to tears when you came back home, and this evening we were privileged to rejoice together with you and to bless you under the chuppah on your joyous day.

"We prayed for your return, we were moved to tears when you came back home, and this evening we were privileged to rejoice together with you and to bless you under the chuppah on your joyous day," the Herzogs said in their blessing. "Mazal tov Sasha and Sapir. May you merit to build together a home filled with love, light, and joy!"

This occasion held particular significance as President Herzog had previously declared he would not attend any weddings until all hostages were returned. His presence at Cohen and Troufanov's wedding underscores the deep emotional connection and national relief surrounding their safe return. Troufanov was held captive for 498 days, while Cohen was released after 55 days during the first hostage release deal in November 2023. Troufanov returned home in February 2025.

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Mazal tov Sasha and Sapir. May you merit to build together a home filled with love, light, and joy!

Cohen and Troufanov announced their engagement in July 2025, five months after Troufanov's release. Their wedding marks a joyous milestone, symbolizing a return to normalcy and a hopeful future after their traumatic experience in Hamas captivity.

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He prayed I’d find another man, thinking he’d never return. But I waited.