Monday 13 October 2025 11:06
Monday, 13 October 2025, 11:06
The seven hostages are pictured above. Matan Angrest is third from the left in the top row.
PHOTO timesofisrael.com
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Matan Angrest, who holds Bulgarian and Israeli citizenship, was among the twenty hostages released by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on X. He was one of seven detainees freed early this morning. Thirteen more hostages were released later today.
The Israeli army has confirmed the news. The released citizens will be reunited with their families at the Reim military base in southern Israel, after which they will be transported to hospitals for further examination and treatment.
The Bulgarian Embassy in Israel took to social media to recall that Mr Angrest was kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October 2023 from his tank near Nahal Oz, spending 738 days in captivity.
'We are so happy you are home, Matan!' the embassy said.
'We are relieved to hear about the release of 20 Israeli hostages from Gaza, including the Bulgarian-Israeli national Matan Angrest,' wrote the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X. 'This is an important moment that gives hope for the implementation of the remaining points of US President Donald Trump's plan to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East,' the Ministry notes.
Editor: Diana Tsankova
Posted in English by E. Radkova
This publication was created by: Р. Василева