Hostage’s mother posts last birthday text she received from her son, in 2023

Anat Angrest, the mother of Hamas-held hostage Matan Angrest, marks her 50th birthday today and shares a text conversation with her captive son from two years ago.

“Every year you wrote to me, then you called,” she writes in a post on X. “Since the morning, I’ve been looking back at our conversations, just to feel you. I wish I could receive even a shred of information about how you are doing.”

“Don’t give up, hold out a little bit longer, and you’ll be with us,” Angrest’s mother continues.

She shares a screenshot of a text conversation with her son from two years ago, in which he wishes her a happy birthday.

“Happy birthday, Mom, I love you more than anything in the world. May you always be healthy and happy, you’re the best,” his message reads.

Outside the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a lone protester demonstrates for a hostage deal with a picture of Angrest. He holds a sign in his other hand that reads: “Agreements save lives, wars save politicians.”

Earlier this week, Angrest’s family allowed media outlets to air footage of the 22-year-old soldier being kidnapped, in order to raise pressure on the government to sign a deal for his release.

There are 55 hostages still in the Gaza Strip. Angrest is among the 20 thought to still be alive in Hamas captivity.

He is said to be in a dire medical state, with severe injuries to his hands, after he was tortured by Hamas with car batteries and electric paddles until losing consciousness, according to a Channel 12 report.