From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 13, 2025
WATCH: Freed hostage sees father, who had a stroke, standing for the 1st time in years
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Bar Kuperstein hugs his father Tal Kuperstein, who is standing up from his wheelchair — the first time the freed hostage saw his father able to do so since he underwent a stroke during surgery some five years ago.
Tal Kuperstein learned to speak again over the past two years so that he could advocate for his son.
בר קופרשטיין רואה לראשונה את אביו טל נעמד על הרגליים לאחר שלקה בשיתוק מוחין בעקבות תאונה@ofekneuberger pic.twitter.com/nArNS4MOgb
— גלצ (@GLZRadio) October 13, 2025
Read more: Hostage’s father struggles to speak again in effort to bring his son home
In a photo, Tal stands with his arm around Bar, who is wrapped in an Israeli flag, and with Bar’s mother, Julie, his grandmother, and his brother.
The family sends out a statement, giving thanks that Kuperstein made it home.
“Two years of an impossible journey — two years in which we did everything we could to make sure everyone knew who Bar is — and now, everyone will finally get to truly know him,” writes the family.
“Two years during which Tal kept moving forward, doing everything possible despite his own challenges — all so he could be ready for that hug with Bar,” they state. “We knew that Bar too was full of faith, courage, and strength. Thank God, he survived the horrors. Now it’s time for him — and for us — to heal.”
They thank God, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, as well as the “beautiful” people of Israel.
The Times of Israel Community.