David Cunio (Hebrew: דוד קוניו; born May 21, 1990) is an Israeli electrical engineer, actor, and former hostage.[1] He was abducted to theGaza Strip with his brother,Ariel Cunio and others, onOctober 7, 2023, during themassacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz, and was released on October 13, 2025, as part of an Israel-Hamas agreement.[2]
Early life
David Cunio was born to Silvia and Luis Cunio, an Argentine-born couple, and grew up inKibbutz Nir Oz. While living in Argentina, his parents were members of theHashomer Hatzair youth movement.[3] He has an older brother, Lucas,[4] a twin brother, Eitan, and a younger brother,Ariel, who was also kidnapped toGaza fromNir Oz.
Acting career
In 2013, David made his acting debut alongside his twin brother Eitan in the feature filmYouth (HaNoar),[1][5] directed by Tom Shoval. The film premiered in the Panorama section of theBerlin International Film Festival[6] and achieved notable international success. The brothers portrayed two siblings whose relationship is shaped by family and financial pressures. Although neither had prior professional acting experience, their performances were noted for their naturalism and authenticity in contemporary reviews.
Youth was screened at numerous international film festivals, and David and Eitan received the Best Acting Award for their performances at the 2013Jerusalem Film Festival and the 2013Durban International Film Festival inSouth Africa for their performances. Despite the film’s critical reception and awards, David did not pursue further acting roles and returned to civilian life outside the film industry.
Cunio’s acting work inYouth was later revisited in the documentary filmA Letter to David (February 2025), also directed by Tom Shoval, which reflects on the making of the film and on Cunio’s life following the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023.[7] The film premiered at the75th Berlin International Film Festival.[8][9][5] During the red-carpet event, the filmmakers displayed images of David and his brother Ariel in an effort to raise awareness of their continued captivity.[10]
David was hiding in thesafe room of hisNir Oz residence when Hamas gunmen set fire to it in an effort to force him out with his family, of whom they took 8 hostage, the largest number taken from a single family during the 7 October attack.[15][16]
Captivity
A sign in Ashdod featuring photos of David and his brother Ariel Cunio alongside the text: “Don’t leave us behind.”
During their abduction, Cunio, Sharon, and Yuli were separated from his other daughter, Emma.[11] During the first ten days of their captivity, the three hostages were held in a Palestinian home inKhan Younis.[11] Afterwards, the three hostages were moved toNasser Hospital, where they were reunited with Emma a few days later.[11] On November 24, 2023, Cunio was separated from his wife and children.[17]
On November 27, 2023, Cunio's wife, and their two daughters were released from captivity as part of a hostage-release agreement.[16] On the same day, Cunio was moved to the tunnels, where he encountered his best friend,Yarden Bibas.[18] A few days later, Bibas would be moved to where Cunio was being held, where they would remain for a few weeks, before Bibas was moved again.[18]
On January 30, 2025,Arbel Yehud, the partner of Cunio's brother Ariel, was released during the second hostage-release deal.[19][20]
In January 2025, Cunio's wife publicly appealed inArabic to Hamas, asking for a sign of life regarding David.[21]
On 17 February 2025, Cunio's family received a sign of life from him.[22][23] Ahead of the second anniversary of his abduction, the family was invited to participate in events held inArgentina.[3]
Release
On October 13, 2025, David Cunio was released fromHamascaptivity together with his brother Ariel as part of a hostage-release agreement.[24][25][14][26]
David Cunio in an official visit of the White House in which he, alongside his brother Ariel and other released hostages met U.S. President Trump
Following his release and hospitalization, Cunio returned home[29] and began a process of physical and psychologicalrehabilitation.[30]
In November 2025, Cunio participated in an official visit to theUnited States, where he was among a group of freed Israeli hostages who met with U.S.President Donald Trump at theWhite House. Cunio attended the event together with other former hostages, including his brother Ariel.[31]
