A Heartwarming Reunion: Israeli Hostages Embrace Families Following Release by Hamas

Image source, Israel Defense Forces

photo caption, Matan Zangauker was reunited with his family after his long kidnapping.

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• • Author, Alice Cuddy
  • Author’s title,
  • Report from Tel Aviv

• 3 hours

Matan Zangauker, 25, walks smiling towards his mother’s arms.

“You are my life,” she exclaims, hugging him tightly in a video recorded by the Israeli Army. “My life. My hero. Come, come.”

Matan was one of 20 living hostages left in Gaza after being kidnapped during the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and was freed on Monday after two years in captivity.

His mother, Einav, has campaigned fiercely for Matan’s return. He became one of the best-known faces of the movement and demanded that the Israeli government reach an agreement with Hamas to release the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Last week, she and her daughter lit fireworks in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square to celebrate the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas as part of Donald Trump’s peace plan.

On Monday, the crowd gathered in the same square cheered as they watched on giant screens the moment Matan and the other 19 freed hostages returned to Israel and were reunited with their families.

People waved Israeli and American flags and held photos of the hostages and signs saying “come home.”

Matan was captured with his partner Ilana Gritzewsky of Nir Oz, but Ilana was released during a ceasefire the following month.

In December 2024, Hamas released a video showing Matan in captivity, saying that he and his fellow hostages were suffering from skin ailments and shortages of food, water and medicine.

In a video call with Matan on Monday, shortly after his release, Einav told him: “Thank God, the war is over. The war is over.”

In a later statement, the family said: “After two years of hell, today we begin a new chapter in our lives: one of healing and rehabilitation.”

That sentiment was shared by several of the families who were reunited with their loved ones.

The family of Eitan Horn, also kidnapped and whose brother Yair was freed during a ceasefire in February, said they would have “hugs and a lot of love and that we will be with him throughout the recovery process.”

Image source, Reuters

photo caption, Eitan Horn’s relatives anxiously awaited news of his release.

Relatives of Evyatar David, 24, who was kidnapped at the Nova music festival and appeared emaciated in a tunnel in a video released by Hamas in August, said they always “knew he would return.”

“After two years of suffering, it is here. Now a new journey of healing will begin for Evyatar and for us,” they said in a statement.

Image source, Reuters

photo caption, Israeli hostage Evyatar David, smiling and in white in the image, was treated after his release at a medical center on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

The live hostages were collected at meeting points in Gaza by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which has acted as a neutral intermediary in the deliveries.

They were then reunited with their loved ones at reception points near the Gaza border, before being airlifted to hospitals in Israel to begin the process of physical and psychological treatment.

Image source, Reuters

photo caption, Several hostages arrived by military helicopters to the medical centers where they were treated.

There were celebrations throughout Israel for the return of the 20 hostages. People waved to the sky as they watched the military helicopters passing by taking them to the hospitals.

Inbar Goldstein, whose own relatives were freed in the November 2023 ceasefire, told the BBC she felt “happy and grateful.”

“I know there are still sad days ahead, but I want to separate what I know from what I feel,” he said.

Elsewhere in the square, Yarden, a teenager, told the BBC: “We are here for the hostages and their release, and to celebrate them. Today all Israelis are together; it is not about left or right, it is about all being together to celebrate the hostages.”

Image source, EPA

photo caption, Many Israelis celebrated in Tel Aviv’s so-called Hostage Square.

But while the live hostages have already been returned, many families of those killed while kidnapped are still waiting, as Hamas said it would only hand over four of the 28 bodies on Monday. The Israeli military said it would conduct forensic tests before confirming their identities and informing their families.

A copy of the ceasefire agreement published by Israeli media had stipulated that the remains of all deceased hostages were to be handed over no later than 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Monday. However, he also seemed to recognize that Hamas and other Palestinian factions might not be able to locate them all within that time frame.

The deal also included the release of about 250 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who had been convicted of crimes including murder and deadly attacks against Israelis, and about 1,700 Gaza detainees who were being held by Israel without charge. These people were also released this Monday.

In a statement, the Israeli military urged Hamas to “keep up its side of the deal” by returning all the bodies.

Matan’s family said that this episode will not be closed until it happens.

“We will continue to stand by the grieving families and fight until the last hostage returns home,” they declared.

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What international actors were primarily involved in facilitating the release of the first group of hostages?

The First Waves of Released Hostages & Initial Reactions

on October 14, 2025, the first groups of israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza began their return to Israel, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. The release, facilitated by international mediation – primarily Qatar, Egypt, and the United States – brought an end to weeks of agonizing uncertainty for families and a surge of emotional scenes at designated reception points. Initial reports confirm the release of women and children as part of the agreed-upon phased exchange, wiht a larger number of hostages expected to follow in the coming days. This initial release fulfills part of the agreement brokered to secure the freedom of over 240 hostages taken during the October 7th attacks.

* Immediate Family Reunions: The first images broadcast globally showed tearful embraces between hostages and their loved ones. Medical teams were present at the handover points and throughout the transport process to provide immediate psychological and physical support.

* Security protocols: Israeli security forces maintained a high level of alert throughout the process,ensuring the safe transfer of the released hostages. The Shin Bet security agency played a crucial role in coordinating the operation.

* Hostage Conditions: Early assessments indicate that many of the released hostages are in fragile physical and emotional states, having endured weeks of captivity under tough conditions. Reports suggest limited access to medical care and adequate nutrition during their detention.

Details of the Hostage Release Agreement

The agreement securing the release of the hostages is complex and multi-faceted.It involves a temporary ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.

* Phased Release: The release is structured in phases, with a predetermined number of hostages released each day in exchange for a specific number of palestinian prisoners.

* Prisoner Exchange Ratio: The ratio of hostages released to Palestinian prisoners released is a key component of the agreement, and has been subject to intense negotiation.Reports indicate a ratio of approximately three Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage.

* Ceasefire Duration: The ceasefire is initially set for four days, with the possibility of extension contingent on continued adherence to the terms of the agreement and the release of additional hostages.

* Humanitarian Aid: A notable increase in humanitarian aid – including food, water, medical supplies, and fuel – is being allowed into Gaza during the ceasefire period.This aid is intended to address the dire humanitarian situation facing the civilian population.

The Psychological Impact on Released Hostages & Families

The trauma experienced by the hostages during their captivity is profound and will require long-term psychological support. The sudden return to freedom, while joyous, can also be disorienting and overwhelming.

* Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Experts anticipate a high incidence of PTSD among the released hostages, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and emotional numbness.

* Family Support Networks: families are being provided with resources and support to help them navigate the challenges of reintegration and provide a stable habitat for their loved ones.

* Specialized Mental Health Services: Dedicated mental health teams, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and trauma specialists, are offering individualized therapy and support groups to both hostages and their families.

* Reintegration Challenges: Reintegrating into normal life after prolonged captivity will be a gradual process, requiring patience, understanding, and ongoing support. Challenges may include difficulty trusting others, social isolation, and adjusting to everyday routines.

International Response & Ongoing Negotiations

The release of the hostages has been met with widespread international relief and calls for a sustained ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

* United Nations Involvement: The United Nations has played a key role in advocating for the release of the hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

* US diplomatic Efforts: The United States has been actively involved in mediating the agreement and working to secure the release of all remaining hostages.

* QatarS Mediation Role: Qatar has been instrumental in facilitating communication between Israel and Hamas and brokering the terms of the release agreement.

* Future Negotiations: Negotiations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining hostages, including male soldiers and civilians. The complexities of these negotiations are significant, and the outcome remains uncertain.

Resources for Support & Information

* Bring Them Home Now: https://www.bringthemhome.org.il/ – Official website providing updates and information about the hostages.

* Israeli Trauma Coalition: Offers mental health support and resources for individuals and families affected by trauma.

* Red Cross/Red Crescent: Providing humanitarian assistance and support to those affected by the conflict.

* UNRWA: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East – providing aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza.