Matan Angrest, Freed Hostage, Returns Home After 738 Days in Captivity

Kiryat Bialik, Israel – Matan Angrest, a 22-year-old Israeli soldier held hostage by Hamas for 738 days, was released on October 13, 2025, as part of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. His return was met with jubilation by family and supporters in his hometown of Kiryat Bialik, where he was photographed posing by a banner used to campaign for his release. The image, shared by Aviva Klompas, captured a poignant moment of his reintegration.

Angrest was among 20 living hostages freed under the terms of the deal, which also included the return of the bodies of 28 deceased hostages. He was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, from his tank unit at the Nahal Oz army base during the initial Hamas assault on southern Israel. His nearly two-year ordeal in Gaza has been described as harrowing by his family.

His mother, Anat Angrest, revealed that Matan endured severe torture, particularly in the initial months of his captivity, likely due to his status as an IDF soldier. "He was alone for a long period, under special guard," she stated, adding that he suffered from chronic asthma, untreated burns, infections, and even deformities in his fingers. Matan reportedly recounted being beaten unconscious, covered in black bags, and subjected to harsh interrogations.

Upon his release, Angrest visited Hostages Square, a central hub for the "Bring Them Home Now" campaign in Tel Aviv, where he viewed the posters and banners that had advocated for his freedom. He held up a poster of Itay Chen, a fellow soldier from his tank crew whose body is still held in Gaza, pledging to do everything in his power to ensure all remaining hostages are returned. His release marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to bring all captives home.