David Cunio

David is grounded, humble, and a dedicated father and partner. He is also an amazing uncle to all his nieces and nephews; Possessing the heart of a child, he effortlessly bonds with children, reaching a remarkable level of connection. David and Sharon, his wife, built their home in Nir Oz out of love for the kibbutz lifestyle, its simplicity, and the fields, believing it to be their little piece of heaven where their daughters could grow up in the most ideal way.
Tragically, on the morning of Saturday October 7th, their little slice of heaven shattered. Eight members of the Cunio family were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists into the Gaza Strip: David was kidnapped along with his wife Sharon (34) and their twin daughters, three-year-old Emma and Yuli. Sharon's sister, Daniel (44), and her daughter, Emilia (5), who had come to spend the holiday, were also taken from the Cunio residence. Ariel Cunio (26), David’s brother, and Arbel Yehud his partner, were kidnapped from their home on the kibbutz. Arbel’s brother, Dolev Yehud (35), was taken hostage as well.
As missile alerts sounded across the country on that Saturday, family members contacted Sharon and David. Initially, Sharon assured them they were safe in their shelter. But soon, she reported hearing terrorists next door, and then, terrifyingly, inside their own home, expressing fear for their lives. Later, she revealed through a voice message that their house was on fire, with smoke infiltrating the shelter. The final communication came at 11:20 a.m.
Later that day, a TikTok video showed David, Sharon, and one of the twins in the back of a pickup truck with armed Hamas terrorists.
Sharon and the twins were released on November 27 from Hamas captivity as part of a temporary cease-fire deal. Sharon’s sister, Daniel, and her daughter,Emilia, were released three days earlier.
David, Ariel, Arbel and Dolev are still held hostage. Their family anxiously anticipates their safe return home.