Angrest, who was just 20 years old and was trying to stop Hamas militants when he was captured from his tank. (Photo: IDF) A video has gone viral on social media showing Matan Angrest, one of the twenty Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Monday, enjoying his freedom with a song. The 22-year-old was a serving Sergeant in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) when he was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Angrest, who was just 20 years old and was trying to stop Hamas militants when he was captured from his tank near the border with the Gaza Strip during the worst terror attack Israel has experienced.
🎗Matan Angrest is finally reunited with his family.
Welcome home Matan💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/TONY2K6N1R
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) October 13, 2025
As he met with his family on Monday, Angrest sang the same song he reportedly wanted to hear as a free man.
Matan Angrest, singing the first song he wanted to hear as a free man.
Freedom has a sound 💙 pic.twitter.com/e6OUHgEE0b
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) October 13, 2025
It was an emotional reunion for the Angrest family on Monday as the young man, who was freed by Hamas and handed over to the Red Cross, met his loved ones.
A photo shared by the IDF also showed Angrest meeting his younger brother, who came to welcome him with a hair art depicting his sibling’s face.
Matan Angrest in the arms of his little brother 🩵💙 pic.twitter.com/aPuWKm5541
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) October 13, 2025
Another photo shared by the IDF showed Angrest being flown to Israel on a helicopter after he was freed by Hamas. In the photo, Angrest is seen displaying a whiteboard with a handwritten note.
“Daniel, Tomer, and Itay — you are the Lions King. Thanks to all the heroes in uniform — Am Yisrael Chai,” the Hebrew note read.
Matan Angrest is finally home.
After unimaginable suffering in Hamas captivity, this brave soldier returned to Israel holding a sign that says:
“Daniel, Tomer, and Itay — you are the Lions King. Thanks to all the heroes in uniform — Am Yisrael Chai.” 💛
Daniel, Tomer, and Itay… pic.twitter.com/5Ot1nErw7Y— Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein (@HadasWittenberg) October 13, 2025
Daniel, Tomer, and Itay were Angrest’s tank crew and were killed on the morning of October 7 while defending the communities from the Hamas attack near the Gaza border.
