Former Hamas Hostages Share Poignant Stories One Year After Release
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Former Hamas hostages marked one year since their release on October 13, 2025, sharing emotional accounts of their return to life after 738 days in captivity. Several, including Bar Kupershtein and Ziv Berman, reflected on the trauma and joy of the past year. While some, like Segev Kalfon and Rom Braslavski, are pursuing new life goals, others, such as Eitan Horn, continue to struggle with nightmares and lack of official support. These former hostages are working to rebuild their lives, forever changed by their experience.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Hamas hostages marked one year since their release on October 13, 2025, sharing their experiences.
- After 738 days in captivity, 20 hostages are rebuilding their lives, dealing with trauma and joy.
- Former hostage Ziv Berman experienced intense emotion, pulling over while driving to process the anniversary.
- Segev Kalfon stated he is still relearning how to live a year after his release.
- Rom Braslavski hopes to marry in the coming year, sharing photos of his ordeal and freedom.
- Eitan Horn reported ongoing nightmares and criticized Israeli authorities for insufficient support.
One year after their release on October 13, 2025, several former Hamas hostages have shared moving accounts of their return to life. After 738 days in captivity in the Gaza Strip, the 20 hostages freed on that date are continuing their reconstruction, grappling with persistent trauma, painful memories, and rediscovered happiness with loved ones.
Bar Kupershtein marked the anniversary on social media, stating, "A year ago today, I was born a second time." Ziv Berman, while driving, realized a full year had passed since his return, becoming so overwhelmed with emotion that he had to pull over. He described the year as "etched into my brain, my heart, and my bones," noting that while he has traveled, fulfilled dreams, and found love, survivor's guilt continues to haunt him with the question "Why me?" He remains committed to honoring the memory of victims and fallen soldiers.
Segev Kalfon recalled long nights of captivity dreaming of family and simple activities like grocery shopping, writing, "It's been a year and I'm still relearning how to live." Despite ongoing suffering, he cherishes newfound moments of freedom. Rom Braslavski shared his ordeal through photographs depicting his captivity, the physical marks of violence, and his regained liberty, expressing a hope to marry in the coming year. Evyatar David offered a message of hope, asserting, "Everything can change for the better in an instant, no matter how dire the situation."
However, the deep-seated effects of their ordeal remain. Eitan Horn told i24NEWS that he still suffers from nightmares related to his two years of captivity. He also criticized the lack of support from Israeli authorities, stating he has had to give paid lectures to support himself. One year after their return, these former hostages are striving to rebuild lives forever marked by their detention.
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