David Cunio marks his second birthday in Hamas captivity 

Family and friends of David Cunio gathered on Wednesday to mark what would be his 35th birthday, his second in Hamas captivity. Cunio was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 and has not been seen since a final sign of life was received in February.

His wife, Sharon Aloni Cunio, released from Hamas captivity in November 2023 along with their three-year-old twin daughters, Emma and Yuli, released a heartfelt statement calling for his return.

"Emma and Yuli need their father, David, in order to heal from their captivity," she said.

"My beloved David is marking his second birthday today in captivity, in a dark tunnel, without us, surrounded only by the sounds of war."

"David misses Emma and Yuli, and they miss him. Not a day goes by without them asking, 'When will Daddy come back from Gaza?' They need their father to heal. To recover. To rebuild trust," she said. "And him? He’s not here. And I’m consumed by longing for the man I love, the one I cannot live without. Every day he doesn’t return deepens their wound, and mine."

"Emma and Yuli need their father alive. Breathing. At home. And I need my husband here with me. Bring him back, before the heartbreak becomes a scar that will never fade," her statement concluded.

Sharon also appeared in a video released for the occasion, alongside David’s brother Eitan and former hostage Yarden Bibas, who shared time in captivity with David.