TEL AVIV.- Two years after their kidnapping, the brothers Ariel and David Cunio, and Eitan Horn, the three Argentines who were among the 20 live hostages that remained in the hands of the terrorist group Hamas, they returned to Israel this Monday within the framework of the second round of releases after the peace agreement in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the remains of the Argentine Lior Rudaeffwho was killed during the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 and was transferred to Gaza, still They were not delivered. Although the terrorist group is expected to hand over the bodies of the 28 dead hostages as part of the agreement with Israel, relatives announced that only four would be returned this Monday.
In the middle of the Red Cross operation, a first photo of the Cunio brothers taken before their releasewhen the young people communicated by video call with their mother, Silvia Cuniofrom Gaza.
While in Tel Aviv the news focused on the first batch of freed hostages, an unexpected call moved Silvia Cunio, mother of the 28 and 34 year olds, kidnapped on October 7, 2023 during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz.
“I didn’t hear anything, but I saw them, and that was enough to make me feel enormous happiness.”the woman told the Israeli site Wallavisibly moved, confirming that she had been able to see her children for the first time in almost two years.
“I see them perfectly fine, I thought they would be worse”added the woman.
“It is impossible to describe everything I am experiencing. I’m already waiting to give them the biggest hug and kiss in the world,” said Silvia, who told Israeli media that at first she didn’t answer the call because she didn’t recognize the number.
As reported Israeli Army Radio, Hamas terrorists returned their phones to Ariel and David so they could call their mother.
At 10.55 local timethe voice of an announcer resounded over the loudspeakers of the Hostage Squarein Tel Aviv, where thousands of people followed the rescue operations live: “All living hostages are free.”
The message unleashed a burst of applause, tears and hugs.
A video of the moment of the brothers’ release was later released. cunioin which he looked animated.
It was also seen Etan Horn, whose brother had been released last February, free.
Etan Horn38 years old, worked in youth support and education programs. Resident in the Kfar Saba area, He was kidnapped while visiting his brother Jairuswho was released last February.
“After 738 long and difficult days of captivity in Hamas, Eitan returns home. Now our core family is complete. Today, Iair, released in February 2025, can finally breathe and feel truly free“said the family in a statement.
“We are waiting for you with hugs and a lot of love, and we will accompany you throughout the recovery process. We will be by your side as long as necessary, and We will remind him how much Israeli society fought for him and for all the hostages”says the text.
The Horn family does a special mention to the absence of the bodies of the 28 dead hostages who have not yet been handed over to Israel. According to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, only four will return to their country today, even though all were required to return as part of the agreement.
“But our hearts are not complete, and our fight is not over. Eitan is back, but it’s not enough. Only when the last hostage returns can we say that we have fulfilled our mission and moral obligation. Only after bringing back the last hostage can we begin the process of recovering and rebuilding our beloved country,” the statement said.
Later, the first photo of the family reunion was known: they are the three brothers together melting into a hug.
“I finally breathe a little. It’s a great emotion, but only when it happens will I be able to breathe well. It’s like giving birth. I thank you to [Donald] Trump and I remain optimistic until the last moment, as I always was. Waiting to tell them ‘Welcome back!'”, Silvia, the mother of the Argentine brothers, had said days ago, after hearing the news of this “first phase” of the peace plan to free all the hostages held by the Hamas group.
Sharon Cunio, David’s wife, She had been released with her twins Emma and Yuli in November 2023, when the girls were three years old.. In the case of Ariel’s girlfriend, Arbel Yehud, she returned to Israel this year after spending almost 500 days kidnapped.
David Cunio debuted in the feature film Youth, premiered in 2013 at the Berlin International Film Festival. During the Hamas assault, he was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with his wife and twins, released as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement negotiated by Qatar and the United States.
David’s younger brother, Ariel Cunio also resided in Nir Oz, where one in four inhabitants were killed or kidnapped. He had returned shortly before from a trip to Latin American countries with his girlfriend, Ehud, released within the framework of a truce in January 2025.
