IDF soldier’s family reveals first photo in Hamas captivity

Soldier severely wounded and kidnapped on October 7th is still alive, according to recently released hostages.

By World Israel News Staff

The family of an IDF soldier abducted by Hamas published a photograph of him in captivity along with a heartfelt plea for the continuation of the ceasefire and hostage deal.

Matan Angrest, 21, was dragged unconscious from a tank by Hamas terrorists during the attack on the Nahal Oz base on October 7, 2023.

Angrest sustained major injuries during the battle, and according to released hostages, he is severely wounded and has not received proper medical care.

In the images published by Angrest’s family, he is seen with a battered, bruised face and bloodied eye. According to the family, the images were taken at least six months after the terror onslaught.

The photographs are screenshots from a Hamas propaganda video featuring Angrest, which the family has chosen not to release in full.

The family added that released hostages have said he is suffering mistreatment and abuse due to his status as an IDF soldier.

Despite his health condition, he was excluded from the first phase of the hostage release deal because he was serving in the military when kidnapped. No male Israeli soldiers abducted on October 7th were released in the first phase of the truce.

Angrest’s family also said he was “undergoing hellish torments and torturous interrogations and is being held in inhumane conditions.”

“We heard from released hostages that our beloved son Matan is alive. It was incredibly emotional for us,” Angrest’s father, Hagai, said during an appearance at Hostages Square in mid-February.

“The time has come to bring him back, along with all the others,” he continued, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “advance the second phase of the deal immediately. We all saw the horrific images, scenes of a Holocaust in 2025, here in Israel. Bring Matan and the rest of the hostages home now. Their situation is dire, and it is time to bring them back.”