An Israeli hostage’s father who was paralysed miraculously stood to embrace his newly-released son after learning how to walk and talk again while his boy was held in captivity.
Bar Kuperstein, 23, from Holon, was working at the Nova music festival on October 7 when he was kidnapped by terrorists who launched an enormous assault, killing 378 partygoers and taking 44 people into Gaza.
He was finally returned to Israel on Monday after two years of being held in Gaza hell.
His father Tal Kuperstein, who suffered a stroke during an operation after a car crash five years ago, learnt how to walk and speak again with the help of a physical therapist so he could advocate for his son and embrace him on his release.
In a touching video his father can be seen standing up out of his wheelchair to hug his son.
He stands with his arm wrapped around Bar, who is draped in an Israeli flag, and with his mother, brother and grandmother.
In a statement, the family said: ‘Two years of an impossible journey — two years in which we did everything we could to make sure everyone knew who Bar is — and now, everyone will finally get to truly know him.
‘Two years during which Tal kept moving forward, doing everything possible despite his own challenges — all so he could be ready for that hug with Bar.
‘We knew that Bar too was full of faith, courage, and strength. Thank God, he survived the horrors. Now it’s time for him — and for us — to heal.’
They thanked God, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, as well as the ‘beautiful’ people of Israel.
Bar had been helping those shot and injured by the terrorists during the Nova massacre rather than escaping himself, other survivors of the attack.
His family called him as sirens began sounding but hours later found videos and photos of him tied up on the ground by Hamas.
Until Monday, the last they saw of him was a short propaganda clip released by Hamas which showed proof of life for him and fellow captive Maxim Herkin.
Bar was released along with the remaining living hostages and was taken to an Israeli military base in Re’im near the border with Gaza before being transported a hospital in the south of the country.
In emotional scenes on Monday, captives who had spent 738 days held by Hamas were reunited with parents, families, friends and loved ones.
Tears of unimaginable joy were shed as former hostages ran straight into the arms of loved ones, who have spent every day since October 7, 2023 fighting for their release from gruelling captivity in the enclave’s underground tunnel network.
Omri Miran, 48, was photographed reuniting with his wife Lishay Miran-Lavi, where he spoke to his daughters Roni, 4, and Alma, 2, on a tablet while at the Re’im base.
He was abducted from his home in Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, when Alma was only six months old. Since then, she has learned how to say ‘Abba’ (‘Daddy’ in Hebrew).
Omri, the oldest captive, was part of the first group of Israeli hostages to be released this morning, alongside Matan Angrest, 22; twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 28; Alon Ohel, 24; Eitan Mor, 25; and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24.
They were followed by a second group of 13 living hostages, including Matan Zangauker, 25; Nimrod Cohen, 21; Ariel Cunio, 28; David Cunio, 35; Evyatar David, 24; Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 25; Elkana Bohbot, 36; Avinatan Or, 32; Bar Kupershtein, 23; Segev Kalfon, 27; Rom Braslabski, 21; Eitan Horn, 38; and Maxim Herkin, 37.
Addressing the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in a historic speech, U.S. President Donald Trump said: ‘After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent and the sirens are still.’
Alon, Guy and Omri were flown by Israeli Air Force helicopters to hospital after an initial medical evaluation, the military said.
While Hamas has been instructed to hand over 28 deceased bodies as part of the peace deal, it is expected to only hand over four this afternoon.
It comes as the terror group has previously admitted they do not know where the remains of all the dead hostages are.
It is believed that some of the remains have been lost and buried under the rubble in Gaza.
A joint multinational task force led by Israel, the U.S., Turkey, Qatar and Egypt is being established to locate any bodies that are not returned.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum said the terror group was guilty of a ‘blatant breach’ of the ceasefire deal by not returning all of the deceased today.
The U.S. president arrived in Israel this morning, where he delivered a momentous address to the Knesset. He will then head to Egypt for an international peace summit geared towards ending the war in Gaza.
‘After two harrowing years in darkness and captivity, 20 courageous hostages are returning to the glorious embrace of their families,’ Trump said.
‘Twenty-eight more precious loved ones are coming home at last to rest in this sacred soil for all of time.’
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that he will bestow the American leader with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour – the country’s highest civilian honour.
Trump signed the Knesset guest book and wrote: ‘It is a great honour for me. This is a beautiful day. A new beginning.’
