Hostage Eliya Cohen and Nova Survivor Ziv Abud Address UN on Third Anniversary of Oct. 7

Key points

• Eliya Cohen, held for 505 days, described being chained, denied sleep, and subjected to psychological torture by Hamas.
• Cohen refused to record a propaganda video claiming good treatment before his release, a fact highlighted by U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz.
• Ziv Abud, a Nova festival survivor, stated she was the only survivor from her group of four, having lost her nephew and his girlfriend.
• Abud and Cohen married recently and expressed a desire to build a normal family life despite their trauma.
• Oriya Berlin, an Israeli military observer, described the initial attack on her base and her decision to continue public diplomacy work.
• Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon accused the UN of demonizing Israel and comparing IDF soldiers to Hamas terrorists.

Background

This event marks the third anniversary of the deadliest day in Israeli history, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 abductions. Recent coverage has highlighted ongoing political tensions in Israel, including scrutiny of pre-attack security warnings and debates over the war’s impact on Palestinian civilians. Survivors have continued to share accounts of captivity and psychological trauma, while international discourse remains divided on the conflict’s origins and consequences.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News emphasized the personal resilience of Cohen and Abud, framing their testimony as a victory over Hamas and a call for global support for Israel. The outlet highlighted Waltz’s emotional reaction to Cohen’s refusal to cooperate with Hamas propaganda. CBS News focused on local commemorations in Baltimore, where Jewish and Palestinian communities gathered separately to mourn and call for peace, reflecting divergent views on the conflict’s causes. The Atlantic, through a personal essay, noted the return of residents to border communities like Nahal Oz but expressed uncertainty about the future due to political stagnation. These perspectives contrast the immediate human impact of the attacks with broader geopolitical and domestic debates.

Why it matters

The event underscores the enduring impact of the October 7 attacks on survivors and their families, while highlighting ongoing diplomatic tensions at the UN. It also reflects the complex narratives surrounding the conflict, with different communities and leaders emphasizing distinct aspects of the tragedy and its aftermath. The testimony of survivors serves as a reminder of the human cost of the war, while political speeches reveal the continued struggle for international support and peace.

What to watch

The focus will likely shift to the upcoming Israeli elections on October 27, where issues related to the war, security, and reconstruction will be central. International attention may also turn to the implementation of the U.S. 20-point peace plan and the establishment of the International Stabilization Force, as mentioned by Waltz. Survivors and families will continue to seek recognition and support, while debates over the conflict’s origins and consequences are expected to persist.