Overwhelming emotions for Israeli hostages finally reunited with their families after more than 730 days in captivity
Einav Zangauker could hardly hold back her tears as she spoke to her son over the phone for the first time in two years.
“You are coming back home. You are all coming home! I love you,” she told him, voice choked with emotion. “The war is over. There is no more war!”
The outpouring of emotion between mother and child came as hostage Matan Zangauker was about to be released by Hamas after more than 730 days in captivity. The terror group released all 20 of the remaining living hostages early on Monday, as part of Donald Trump’s deal for peace in Gaza.
There were tears of joy and relief as the returning hostages were embraced by their loved ones, having prayed for their release every day since the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023.
Hamas had given captives their phones to make calls before their release, ending more than two miserable years held in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.
Julie Kupershtein, mother of 23-year-old Bar, was able to speak to her son before meeting him in Israel. Bar was working as a paramedic at the Nova music festival when he was taken hostage.
“Seeing my child after two years – everything is fine,” she told The Guardian. “Thank you to the soldiers, thank you to everyone.”
“We were in the compound, and suddenly I had a conversation. Suddenly I saw Bar.
“I screamed to the sky. Crazy. To see them, these pure, righteous children, alive. I’m shaking all over.”
Upon returning to Israel, Bar hugged his father, Tal, who was seen standing up from his wheelchair. It was the first time he had seen his father stand since Tal had a stroke during surgery some five years ago, the Times of Israel reports.
In a statement, the family described the arduous “two years during which Tal kept moving forward, doing everything possible despite his own challenges – all so he could be ready for that hug with Bar.”
Silvia Cunio, mother of hostages Ariel and David, said that her children were also able to make a brief video call ahead of their release.
“I could not hear anything, but I saw them, and this is enough,” she told Channel 12 News. “They are okay.”
But the moment was nearly missed – Silvia almost did not pick up the phone because she did not recognise the number, the Jerusalem Post reports.
