In a moment that captured the spirit of faith, resilience, and national solidarity, tens of thousands gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Tuesday for the traditional Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremony. Among the sea of white prayer shawls stood a familiar face — 27-year-old Eliya Cohen, recently freed from Hamas captivity, himself a Kohen, now offering blessings to the people of Israel. Cohen also held up signs and prayer for hostages Alon Ohel and Segev Kalfon whom he spent over 500 days in captivity with.

On October 7, 2023, during the Hamas attack on southern Israel, 27-year-old Eliya Cohen was attending the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Nir Oz with his girlfriend, Ziv Abud. As gunfire erupted, they sought refuge in a shelter, now referred to as the “death bunker.” In a desperate bid to survive, they hid beneath the bodies of victims. Eliya was shot in the leg and subsequently abducted by Hamas militants, while Ziv remained hidden, pretending to be dead. 

Cohen endured 505 days in captivity, primarily confined to underground tunnels in Gaza. He faced severe conditions, including starvation and psychological torment. In a poignant recollection, he described the haunting image of his captors’ “insane smiles” during his abduction:

“I will never forget that smile, ever. I go to sleep with that smile; I live it. That’s the smile of my kidnapping.” 

On February 22, 2025, Cohen was released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. His return marked the end of a harrowing chapter and the beginning of a long journey toward healing and advocacy for those still in captivity. 

Today, standing beside his father, Maimon Cohen, Eliya chanted the words from the Book of Numbers:

“May God bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up His face to you and give you peace.”

Eliya’s voice joined hundreds of fellow Cohanim — men descended from the ancient priestly line — but his presence carried a profound emotional weight. During the ceremony, he held up posters bearing the names and faces of two hostages still being held in Gaza: Segev Kalfon and Alon Ohel. As the massive crowd recited the prayer for the captives, Eliya stood as a living symbol of survival — and of those who have yet to return.

On a rooftop above the plaza, his mother, Sigalit Cohen, looked on, overcome with emotion.

“Twice over the past year, we stood here while Eliya was still trapped in a tunnel,” she told The Times of Israel. “Today, he’s here, reciting the priestly blessing and bestowing it upon the entire people. It’s the most moving experience imaginable. I’ve waited so long for this moment.”

The Birkat Kohanim, held during the holidays of Passover and Sukkot, is one of the most powerful gatherings in Jewish tradition. Rooted in the biblical command to Aaron and his sons, the blessing has been passed down through generations. For many, this year’s ceremony was more than ritual — it was a prayer for healing, a call for unity, and a beacon of hope for the safe return of all hostages still in Gaza.