Former Israeli hostage Alon Ohel performs aboard USS Nimitz for US Independence Day

Former Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, an accomplished Israeli pianist who spent 738 days in captivity in Gaza, performed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz on Saturday as part of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations, marking another milestone in his return to public life after his release.

Ohel joined American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik, better known by his stage name Five for Fighting, to perform "Superman" on the flight deck of the USS Nimitz during the International Naval Review 250 in New York Harbor, part of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations.

"International Naval Review 250 (INR 250) is the pinnacle event of the U.S. Navy's celebration of America’s 250th birthday," the U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) wrote in a statement.

"Hosted in the Port of New York and New Jersey from July 3-8, 2026, INR 250 is a historic, multinational maritime event that gathers ships, aircraft, and personnel from 55 international navies and coast guards… During the week-long event, Nimitz will be a centerpiece of the fleet following the monumental Parade of Sail July 4," it continued.

At the event, Ohel accompanied Ondrasik on piano as he performed "Superman."

In April 2025, while Ohel was still a hostage in Gaza, Ondrasik rewrote and re-recorded part of the song for Ohel and his family, releasing it as "Superman (For Alon, the Hostages, and their Families)."

The performance was attended by senior U.S. government and military officials, including the commander of the Navy, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and other invited guests.

Upon arriving in the United States, Ohel was held for about an hour at the airport because he was still listed in government systems as a hostage in Gaza. The matter was resolved after the Israeli Consulate in New York intervened.

Ohel was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, and held captive for 492 days before his family received the first indication that he was still alive from a fellow hostage who had been released.

He was eventually freed in October 2025 after spending 738 days in captivity.

Before he was abducted, Ohel had planned to study at the Rimon Academy of Music, where he hoped to pursue his career as a pianist.

Saturday's performance was not Ohel's first public appearance since his release.

In February, he performed at the "Alon Ohel – Playing Life" concert at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv, accompanying several of his favorite artists, including Eviatar Banai, Alon Eder, Guy Mazig, Gal Toren, Idan Amedi and Shlomi Shaban – whose music helped sustain him during his captivity.

He has also performed at the Jewish Funders Network conference.