Kibbutz Kfar Aza, less than two miles from the Gaza border, saw 60 of its 400 residents killed by Hamas on Oct. 7, and 18 kidnapped. Among those kidnapped were Gali Berman, 26, and his twin brother Ziv (Gali ben Talya and Ziv ben Talya).

The brothers worked as lighting technicians at a sound and lighting company and traveled together extensively. “They are the light of every room they enter,” said Liran Berman, their elder brother.

Reports from released hostages have indicated that the Berman brothers are being held in Gaza separately. “When we were told they were kidnapped, we were joyful,” said Liran. “It’s such a weird thing. It was a glimmer of hope.”

He has met with members of Congress and spoken to the European Parliament to lobby for his brothers’ release. “We are still living on that hope. It’s the only thing we have left.”