Nir Oz resident Iair Horn released from Hamas captivity after 498 days

On February 15, 2025, Iair Horn, 46, was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza as part of phase one of a mediated ceasefire-hostage release deal. He was handed over to the Red Cross, who delivered him to IDF soldiers who escorted him into Israel. Below is what we initially knew of his capture: 

Iair Horn, 45 (now 46), was abducted from his Kibbutz Nir Oz home on October 7, as Hamas terrorists swarmed through the kibbutz, killing or kidnapping one in four of the community’s residents.

Horn’s younger brother, Eitan Horn, 37 (now 38), was visiting from his home in Kfar Saba for the holiday weekend.

The family immigrated from Argentina years ago, and when sirens began sounding, warning of incoming rockets, their father Itzik messaged his two sons.

Eitan answered, writing, “Did you forget that in Iair’s kibbutz the missiles always pass overhead?”

That was the last communication received by the Horn family.

When father Itzik heard that terrorists were attacking Kibbutz Nirim, he understood that Nir Oz would be next in line, given its location.

A Nir Oz friend later confirmed that the brothers were together at the time of the Hamas incursion into the kibbutz.

Iair works in construction and is heavily involved in Nir Oz, organizing parties and holiday activities and is responsible for the local kibbutz pub.

They’re also very involved uncles, according to their father, Itzik, often taking their nephews to Hapoel Beersheba soccer games.