Emotional footage emerged on Monday showing Israeli families speaking by video call with hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, their first direct contact in two years.
In one of the clips, Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, is seen tearfully talking to her son, who remains in an undisclosed location in Gaza.
“You’re coming home, you’re all coming home,” she tells him through sobs. “There’s no more war.”
Hebrew media also published still images of other hostages, including brothers David and Ariel Cunio, and Nimrod Cohen, appearing on brief video calls with their families.
Silvia Cunio, the mother of the Cunio brothers, said she was overwhelmed after seeing her children on screen.
“I couldn’t hear anything, but I saw them, and that’s enough,” she told reporters, fighting back tears.
In the footage, the brothers appeared to be dressed in imitation military uniforms, similar to those worn by hostages released earlier this year. “They are okay,” she said.
Yotam Cohen, the brother of Nimrod, described his own brief call, saying, “I told him he’s as good-looking as ever. He said he’s fine, he loves us, and just wanted to see us. We’ll hug him very soon.”
Family members said the calls came unexpectedly, with Silvia Cohen admitting she almost didn’t answer the phone because she didn’t recognize the number.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had warned on Sunday that Hamas might attempt “provocations,” including allowing contact between families and captives ahead of their release.
According to Israeli officials, Matan Zangauker, the Cunio brothers, and Nimrod Cohen are scheduled to be freed in the coming hours as part of the ongoing hostage release deal.
