October 7 · Personal story
Nimrod Cohen
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
The White House outpost in the Nahal Oz area
Current outcome
Released alive · October 13, 2025
Released alive after 738 days in captivity and reunited with family.
01
Before captivity
Cohen was from Rehovot and served as an armored corps soldier. In an interview before his return, his mother Viki said he had joined scouting and navigation activities from a young age and wanted to contribute and do meaningful service. After four months of basic training and four months of advanced training, he arrived at the White House outpost between Nirim and Nir Oz. Viki said he was proud to be part of the armored corps.
02
October 7
On October 7, 2023, Cohen was at the White House outpost, where tanks were positioned between Nirim and Nir Oz. His mother told Ynet that this was the place from which he was taken. Vesty-Ynet’s return-day reporting says he was abducted from a tank during the attack; the same report identifies three other soldiers in that crew who were killed in the fighting.
03
Captivity
Cohen spent 738 days in captivity. After he returned, his mother told Ynet that he said captors interrogated and tortured him, particularly early in captivity, and used threats and messages that he had been forgotten. She said he was held in a tunnel without fresh air or daylight and sometimes experienced fear and panic. Viki also recalled his amazement when he saw photographs of birthday gatherings and public demonstrations held for him, after being told in captivity that no one was trying to secure his release.
04
Return
Cohen was released alive on October 13, 2025, after 738 days. An October 14 Vesty-Ynet report names him among the hostages returned under the release agreement and records his reunion with his family. His mother said she first spoke with him by phone and later brought him home from hospital.
05
After returning
In an interview published on October 22, 2025, Viki Cohen recalled waiting at Re’im when the family received a video call from Nimrod, who was still in Gaza with captors beside him. He repeated that he loved them; soon afterward they embraced. Back home in Rehovot after leaving hospital, he went straight to his room and sat on his bed, looking at his belongings. His mother said that being with family and the dog mattered to him. She described his surprise at photographs and videos of birthday gatherings and demonstrations held for him, after being told in captivity that no one was trying to bring him home. The family treasured being able to hug him and sit together at the table again.