October 7 · Personal story
Matan Zangauker
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Kibbutz Nir Oz
Current outcome
Released alive · October 13, 2025
Released alive on October 13, 2025, after 738 days in captivity.
01
Before October 7
Matan Zangauker made his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz with his partner Ilana Gritzewsky. They met while working at a cannabis greenhouse and were building a life together in the community. A Jerusalem Post profile described him as introverted; friends called him “Spider,” a nickname linked to his fear of spiders. He enjoyed building model airplanes and helped care for his two younger sisters. By October 2023, he and Ilana lived together in Nir Oz.
02
Abduction
On October 7, 2023, attackers entered Zangauker and Gritzewsky’s home in Nir Oz. Matan held the safe-room door while Ilana escaped through a window; when he followed, both were captured and taken to Gaza. In his first full account after release, he described being dragged from the kibbutz and beaten by a crowd as he was moved across the border. Ilana was released in November 2023 while Matan remained in captivity.
03
Captivity
In his November 2025 interview, Zangauker described long periods underground, transfers between tunnels and safe houses, and a small cage with two mattresses and one blanket. He was often denied food. He said he was forced to walk to Rafah and spent time in a mosque and a tent near the coast. When a guard beat another hostage with a whip made from a refrigerator cable, Matan intervened and took the blows himself. Captors filmed him repeatedly for propaganda, sometimes for entire days. Seeing his mother Einav’s speeches on television gave him hope. Later, as other hostages were released and he remained alone, he feared he would never leave. He recalled that twice nearby Israeli airstrikes filled the tunnel with gas.
04
Return
Zangauker was released alive on October 13, 2025, after 738 days in captivity, under the negotiated release agreement. He said he could not believe freedom was real until he was in a Red Cross vehicle heading toward Israel. At the border, he saluted Israeli soldiers and was reunited with his family after two years apart.
05
After return
On November 10, 2025, Zangauker gave his first full interview after returning, describing his experiences to N12. He recalled how a tunnel commander had recognized his name and told him that his mother was leading demonstrations. He also rejected rumors that he had received luxuries or money during captivity. His account brought his own voice to the story his family and partner had spent two years telling on his behalf.