A year after the Hamas attacks on October 7 in Israel, four Americans are still believed to be captives among many others taken during the incident.

Last year, over 250 individuals were kidnapped from Israeli towns and a music festival when Hamas launched a surprise assault by crossing the Israel-Gaza border.

The American hostages include young Israeli military personnel, an occupational therapist, and a construction worker, all of whom have families fervently hoping for their return.

Edan Alexander: Spotted in Gaza Tunnels, ‘Skinny’ but ‘In Good Spirits’

Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier, was stationed close to the Gaza border on the day of the assault. Early on October 7, he called his mother, Yael Alexander, to say he could hear gunfire but assured her he was safe. This was the last conversation before he became a hostage.

Originally from Tenafly, New Jersey, Alexander completed high school in 2022 and opted to postpone college to join the Israel Defense Forces, according to his parents. He was an active swimmer in high school and was a fan of the New York Knicks.

“He’s such a wonderful kid,” his father, Adi Alexander, shared with NorthJersey.com. “He’s a better version of me.”

Alexander, who moved from Israel to the U.S. with his family when he was a baby, spent his childhood visiting family in Israel. Community members in Tenafly gather weekly for a run or walk in his honor, and two posters featuring his image are displayed in the town’s center. Following his abduction, a Shabbat table with 220 empty seats was set up in memory of him and other hostages.

On the anniversary of his abduction, the Alexanders are advocating for a negotiation to secure their son’s freedom. The recent death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, another young American hostage, has escalated their fears for Edan’s safety.

Despite this, they continue to hold onto hope. Several released hostages reported seeing Edan in the tunnels of Gaza, seemingly “skinny” but “in good spirits,” according to Adi. Their current message to him is: “Stay strong. Survive. Mom and Dad are coming for you.”

Omer Neutra

Omer Neutra, a soldier in the IDF from Plainview, Long Island, was captured on the same day as he and his tank unit tried to fend off the Hamas assault, as noted by his family on a GoFundMe page.

A passionate sports enthusiast who loves traveling and outdoor activities, the 22-year-old served as captain of his high school sports teams, his parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, informed the Republican National Convention in July. Neutra had postponed his studies at Binghamton University to enlist in the Israeli military, and the fundraiser established for him has raised over $182,000 as of Friday.

A rally advocating for Neutra and other hostages was held in Plainview on Wednesday, as reported by ABC-7. His parents have also appealed to both President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for assistance in securing their son’s freedom.

“We need our beautiful son to come back. And we need your support,” Ronen Neutra stated at the Convention.

Sagui Dekel-Chen

Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, was taken from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community particularly affected by the October 7 attacks.

He is a cherished husband and the father of three daughters. At the time of his abduction, his youngest daughter had been born just two months prior, as reported by his father to NBC.

On the day of the attack, Dekel-Chen was busy in his machine shop, working on transforming two old buses into classrooms when he first alerted the kibbutz of the incoming threat.

The last confirmation of Dekel-Chen’s survival came last November when released hostages mentioned seeing him alive but injured, as told by his father to NPR.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, his son, shared that the family fled the Holocaust to Connecticut before moving to Israel where Sagui grew up. Jonathan’s ultimate wish is to see Sagui return home and be embraced by his daughters, including meeting his youngest for the first time.

“I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to make that happen,” he expressed.

Keith Siegel

Keith Siegel, 64, and his wife Aviva, 62, were abducted on October 7 from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the areas severely impacted by the attack, according to the Times of Israel. Aviva was released as part of an initial cease-fire arrangement in November.

Siegel works as an occupational therapist and has lived in Israel for four decades, where he met and married Aviva, a kindergarten teacher.

During the attack, Siegel sustained broken ribs and a gunshot wound to the head, as reported by the Times of Israel. They were transported to Gaza in their own vehicle.

In April, Siegel was featured in a propaganda video issued by Hamas; it was the first time he appeared on film since being taken hostage. In the clip, Siegel expressed his love for his family and reminisced about the Passover celebrations they shared the previous year. The filming date of the video remains unclear.

Aviva Siegel has transformed her anguish and trauma from her husband’s hostage situation into advocacy for his freedom. She has engaged with leaders such as President Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“The hostages are being abandoned to die,” she told the media. “They are dying slowly. How can I cope with that? I honestly don’t know how to handle it anymore.”