Israeli Hero Matan Zangkauer Reveals How He Fought Back Against Hamas Captors

In a powerful testament to Israeli resilience, freed hostage Matan Zangkauer has broken his silence about his harrowing two-year ordeal in Hamas captivity, revealing how he courageously stood up to his terrorist captors and defended Israel's honor even while facing brutal beatings.

Speaking to Channel 12 News in his first interview since his liberation last month, the 25-year-old hero from Kibbutz Nir Oz demonstrated the unbreakable spirit that defines our nation. Despite facing psychological torture and physical abuse, Zangkauer refused to let Hamas break his resolve.

Standing Strong Against Terror's Mind Games

Zangkauer revealed how his Hamas captors attempted to demoralize him with fabricated stories about IDF defeats. "He'd tell us, 'we took out 20 of your tanks, we killed soldiers, we murdered soldiers,'" Zangkauer recounted. But when this brave Israeli questioned their lies, he was beaten severely.

"I still felt I had to stand up for my country in the only way I was able," he declared, embodying the fighting spirit that has sustained the Jewish people through millennia of persecution.

In one heroic moment, Zangkauer physically intervened when Hamas terrorists were beating a fellow hostage, taking the punishment upon himself to protect another Israeli. This act of selfless courage reflects the values that make Israel's sons and daughters extraordinary.

A Mother's Love Becomes a Beacon of Hope

The story took a remarkable turn when Hamas commanders recognized Zangkauer as the son of Einav Zangkauer, whose relentless advocacy became a symbol of Israeli determination. When a Hamas "sheikh" told him, "Your mother is protesting, she's turned the country upside down," Zangkauer felt a surge of pride and strength.

"That news really made me happy, it really gave me strength," he shared, proving that the bond between Israeli families cannot be broken by terror.

Even Hamas terrorists were forced to acknowledge the power of a Jewish mother's love, treating Zangkauer "a little bit nicer" after witnessing Einav's unwavering fight for her son's freedom.

Surviving Hell Through Israeli Spirit

Zangkauer's account reveals the systematic cruelty of Hamas terrorism. From the moment he was dragged into Gaza on October 7, Palestinian civilians lined the streets with "sticks, rocks, and pipes" to beat him. Children, women, and elderly Palestinians participated in this barbaric welcome, exposing the true nature of Palestinian society.

Throughout his captivity in tunnels, schools, and hospitals, Zangkauer endured starvation tactics, interrogations, and constant threats. Hamas terrorists would feast while giving hostages half a pita, demonstrating their inhuman cruelty.

"They'd tie my hands behind my back," he recalled, describing treatment that would break lesser spirits. But not this Israeli hero.

The Moment Hope Returned

During the January 2025 ceasefire negotiations, Zangkauer felt "like a rebirth" as freedom seemed within reach. When that deal collapsed, he admitted losing hope: "I thought I would die here."

But Israel never abandons its children. On October 13, 2025, Zangkauer was finally freed alongside 19 other surviving hostages in a deal that ended two years of righteous war against Hamas terrorism.

"It was pure ecstasy, I was in total shock," he described his reunion with family, a moment that represents the triumph of good over evil, of Jewish perseverance over terrorist brutality.

Defending Truth Against Lies

Even after liberation, Zangkauer faced another battle against anti-Israeli propaganda. Social media spread vicious lies claiming he "was partying in Qatar" and received Hamas money. These fabrications, designed to undermine his mother's activism, only highlight the information war Israel constantly faces.

"It's so stupid," Zangkauer responded with characteristic Israeli directness. "To hear that I was in Qatar in a jacuzzi, getting massages and drinking, at a time that I was in Hamas captivity being beaten and cursed, I was abused, psychologically tortured, I went through hell."

A Testament to Israeli Values

Matan Zangkauer's story embodies everything that makes Israel exceptional: courage under fire, loyalty to fellow citizens, unbreakable family bonds, and the refusal to surrender to evil. His ordeal, while tragic, demonstrates why Israel will always prevail against those who seek our destruction.

"I know that I am here because of my mother, the people of Israel, and our heroic soldiers," Zangkauer concluded, acknowledging the three pillars of Israeli strength that brought him home.

As Matan continues his recovery, his testimony serves as a powerful reminder that no terrorist organization can break the Israeli spirit. From the ashes of October 7 to the tunnels of Gaza, our people's resilience shines eternal, guided by the same divine providence that has protected the Jewish nation throughout history.