The mother of released Israeli soldier Matan Angrest recounted the harrowing details of her son’s captivity, revealing that he was beaten so severely by Hamas that he lost consciousness. This story is just one of many that has emerged following the release of 20 hostages as part of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Anat Angrest shared with local media her memories of the ordeal, detailing how her son was grabbed on October 7, 2023, and treated brutally. “They covered him with a black bag and dragged him out,” she explained to Haaretz.
Matan, an IDF soldier taken from a tank near Gaza, described to his family how an airstrike caused the tunnel he was in to collapse around him. His mother added that many children were trapped under the rubble, desperately trying to survive.
She noted that for the last four months of his captivity, he had been confined in a dark tunnel.
Some of the released hostages, like Ariel Cunio and Rom Braslavsky, experienced complete isolation. Cunio mentioned to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan that he was unaware for months that his brother David and partner Arbel Yehud were alive.
Braslavsky, who is 21, also experienced solitary confinement, enduring starvation, being shackled, and sleeping barefoot on cold ground, as he relayed to family members.
Survivors reported that Hamas guards would eat in front of them while they remained hungry. “Things got even tougher when the IDF resumed ground operations in March,” a report stated.
Channel 13 News revealed that some hostages were not provided with shoes and some were still chained. Alon Ohel’s parents shared that he was recently forced to navigate Gaza’s tunnels and used as a human shield during military movements.
“They suddenly moved him to another tunnel in central Gaza,” his family explained to Channel 12, noting that he was shifted for a capture operation by the Israel Defense Forces.
Both Ohel and other captives were held underground for extended periods, lacking sunlight and basic hygiene. When Hamas released a video during the conflict, relatives described Ohel’s gaunt appearance and cropped hair as worrying signs of malnutrition.
In another account, Omri Milan, 48, detailed to his family that after 738 days in captivity, he had been moved across 23 different locations in Gaza.
“He was detained both in tunnels and above ground,” related his brother Nadav. Remarkably, sometimes he would even cook for the other captives, who seemed to enjoy his meals. Nadav mentioned that his brother kept track of the days in his head, knowing exactly what date it was without writing it down, often playing cards with his captors.
Despite everything, Omri’s spirit remained strong, according to Nadav, who noted that “he’s pale, but his humor is the same.”
Evita David’s father, Abishai, mentioned that his son was still weak and underweight despite having fasted for an extended period. He shared that just before his release, his captors had started to offer him bit more food.
“He realized they were trying to make him gain weight, so he ate slowly and carefully,” Abishai explained. Evyatar, at 24, was kidnapped alongside his friend Guy Gilboa Dalal from the Nova Music Festival. They were separated for weeks but reunited in a touching moment at the hospital this week.
A video released by Hamas in August showed Evyatar appearing emaciated, expressing that he hadn’t eaten in days and had little water.
The men—20 hostages released on Monday—marked two years since the October 7, 2023, attack, under a deal mediated by the United States and Egypt. In exchange, Israel released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of approximately 360 Palestinians, as reported by international observers.
The Red Cross facilitated the transfer amid broader efforts to cease hostilities, pull back Israeli forces, and provide humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.
As part of the agreement, Hamas is expected to disarm and permit International Stabilization Forces to maintain security during the reconstruction phase.
All 20 freed hostages have been taken to hospitals across Israel for required medical and psychological care. Doctors reported that many are suffering from extreme malnutrition, respiratory issues, and skin conditions from long durations in dark, damp environments.
Families confirm that while the former captives are still fragile, they are aware. “He’s strong mentally and physically, and we’re thrilled to have him back,” noted Nadav regarding his brother Omri.
Doctors anticipate that recovery will take several months. Hospital staff has placed the men on dietary restrictions to avoid complications as they begin to eat again, while also remaining under close psychiatric observation.
The reunion for families brought mixed emotions—relief and sadness lingered, especially for those still awaiting the remains of their loved ones as previously promised under the agreement. Israeli officials emphasized the necessity for complete compliance from Hamas.
