"We wanted to break up on October 7, but it united us forever". Sasha Trufanov and Sapir, a love story
An exclusive interview with Sasha Trufanov and Sapir, who survived Hamas captivity. A week before the third anniversary of October 7, the couple tells how they planned to separate, but the tragedy and Sasha's 498 days in captivity led to their wedding in July 2026. Sapir waited for him for over 400 days after her own release, and then fought for his return. They now live in Tel Aviv and are building a new life.
A week before the third anniversary of October 7, Yedioth Ahronoth publishes a candid interview with Sasha Trufanov and Sapir Cohen, who survived Hamas captivity. The couple reveals that shortly before 'Black Saturday' they planned to break up — the relationship was 'falling apart at the seams', Sasha was not ready for a serious relationship or marriage. However, the tragedy changed everything. Sapir was held captive for 55 days, Sasha for 498 days. After her release, Sapir not only waited for him for over 400 days but also joined the struggle for his return, becoming a pillar of support for his mother. In July 2026, they married in the presence of 500 guests, including President Isaac Herzog and the head of the hostage release task force, Nitzan Alon. Everyone cried with joy at the wedding. The couple now lives in Tel Aviv; Sasha has returned to work as an engineer at Amazon on a part-time basis. They acknowledge that returning to routine life after the nightmare they endured is a Sisyphean task, but they call their rescue and renewed relationship a true miracle.