Freed hostage Bar Kuperstein tells Herzog that Hamas began feeding him four days before release

By Nava Freiberg

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14 October 2025, 10:15 pm

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Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

President Isaac Herzog met earlier today with freed hostage Bar Kuperstein at the hospital where he was received following his release from Hamas captivity yesterday.

In a video shared by his office, Herzog warmly welcomes Kuperstein back to Israel and asks how he’s been coping since returning home.

“Did they begin feeding you?” Herzog asks, seemingly referring to whether Hamas had provided food in the days leading up to Kuperstein’s release.

“During the last four days,” Kuperstein replies.

“What matters is that you’re here,” Herzog tells him.

Herzog also greets and commends Kuperstein’s father, Tal, who suffered a stroke several years ago following a car accident, and relearned to walk and talk while his son was in captivity.

Hostages freed on Monday have begun sharing accounts of their time in Gaza with relatives, describing prolonged isolation, long periods of starvation, and undergoing torture during their captivity.