Matan Zangauker, 25, walks grinning into his mother's arms. 'You're my life,' she exclaims, hugging him tightly in footage filmed by the Israeli military. 'My life. My hero. Come, come.'
Matan was one of 20 living hostages remaining in Gaza after being taken during the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023, who were freed on Monday after two years in captivity.
His mother, Einav, has campaigned fiercely for Matan's return. She became among the best-known faces of the movement, demanding the Israeli government agree to a hostage exchange with Hamas.
Last week, she and her daughter lit fireworks in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to celebrate a ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas as part of Donald Trump's peace plan.
On Monday, crowds gathered and cheered in the same square as they watched footage on big screens of Matan and the other 19 freed hostages returning to Israel and reuniting with their families. People waved Israeli and US flags and held up photos of the hostages and signs saying, 'they're coming home.'
Matan was taken with his partner Ilana Gritzewsky from Nir Oz, but Ilana was released during a ceasefire the following month. In December 2024, Hamas released a video showing Matan in captivity, where he displayed visible signs of suffering.
Einav, in a video call with Matan shortly after his release, exclaimed, 'Thank God, the war is over. The war is over.' The family stated, 'after two years of hell, today we begin a new chapter of our lives - one of healing and rehabilitation.'
The living hostages were collected from meeting points in Gaza by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and were then reunited with loved ones at reception points near the Gaza border, before being airlifted to hospitals to begin treatment.
While families celebrated the return of their loved ones, concerns remained for those still missing. Families of those killed are still waiting for additional information, as only four out of 28 promised bodies were returned during the exchange.
Matan's family stated there could be no closure until all remains are returned. They pledged to continue to support the bereaved families in their fight for justice.
