Former Gaza hostage Bar Kupershtein was embraced by his family on Sunday as he returned to his family home in Holon draped in an Israeli flag.
Kupershtein shared how he was thanking God for “the fact that I am alive, breathing, and seeing the light again" during his brief exchange with the press.
He was held in terror captivity for almost 25 months after being taken hostage from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023, massacre, eventually being released on October 12. He was being monitored at Sheba Medical Center but was given medical approval to return home.
"I love you," he told the crowd waiting for his return.
"Thank God, after two years, I have returned home. I am standing here today in the city I love so much, and I say thank you to everyone who prayed for me, who put on tefillin, who hung a sign, who didn't let me disappear," he commented.
"Two years of captivity, of darkness, of fear, of prayer, of hope that did not die...you did not forget me - not you, not my friends, and not the people of Israel," he said.
Kupershtein: We will not forget the remaining hostages; I am standing here for them
"I am standing here also for the hostages still there – we will not forget and we will not give up," he affirmed, referencing the then-11 hostages whose remains are still held in Gaza. Since his speech, the remains of three hostages, namely Col. Asaf Hamami, Capt. Omer Neutra, and St.-Sgt. Oz Daniel, were returned to Israel.
Kupershtein also thanked his parents, the "hero" Tal, the "lioness" Julie, and his "larger than life" younger siblings, as well as members of the public, for helping his family when he was not able to.
Tal Kupershtein is disabled after suffering from a stroke during the seventh of his surgeries following a major car accident, approximately five years ago. Bar was implying thanks to the community members aiding in his father's care while he was being held hostage.
Tal commented in a video shared by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum on October 10 that he relearned how to speak in order to advocate for the release of his son.
"This is an emotional moment of community embrace, of great joy, and of renewed hope," Holon Mayor Shay Kenan said.
Danielle Greyman-Kennard contributed to this report.