The family of Israeli soldier Matan Angrest on Monday released new footage showing his violent abduction by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border assault, along with audio recorded from inside his tank moments before the attack.
The video captures Angrest, unconscious, being pulled from his tank near the Nahal Oz military post and beaten by a mob in Gaza. The extended footage shows him being thrown from the tank toward the crowd, who continue the attack in an apparent attempt to lynch him.
The family also released audio from inside the tank in the moments leading up to the ambush. In the recording, Angrest is heard shouting: “What is that? Terrorist! Stop! Behind him! Peretz! Is anyone hurt? Peretz!”
Angrest had been serving alongside fellow soldiers Itay Chen and Daniel Peretz, both killed in the assault and whose bodies are being held in Gaza. Another soldier, Tomer Leibovich, was also killed.
Testimonies from released hostages, as well as medical evaluations and intelligence reports shared with the family, indicate that Angrest suffers from chronic asthma and endures severe respiratory distress, particularly after violent interrogations. Former captives said he was shocked with electricity using car batteries until he lost consciousness. In such instances, he was reportedly brought out of Hamas’ tunnel network to keep him alive between episodes of abuse.
Recording chronicle last moments in tank before Matan Angrest's abduction by Gaza mob
He is also suffering from severe, untreated burns on both hands, which are now infected. According to the family, the tunnel’s damp conditions prevent proper treatment, and his hands are swollen to the point that he can no longer move some fingers. The infections have caused him to run high fevers, experience chills and cry out in ongoing pain. One of his eyes is swollen shut, and he has sustained fractures to his cheekbones and jaw. Doctors consulted by the family have concluded that his condition is life-threatening.
His mother, Anat Angrest, said the family had resisted releasing the footage but could no longer remain silent.
“For 611 days, I avoided watching the full video showing the beginning of the lynching of my beloved son, Matan,” she said. “Dozens of terrorists against one soldier. Last night, I forced myself to watch it. We have no choice. Matan’s life is in danger.”
Speaking to Ynetnews, she said, “It’s a very complex decision for a mother — to publish a video of her son in this state, and even to watch it. I still avoid viewing other materials we have. We feel Matan is being wronged because he is a soldier. It’s easier to leave him behind, even though it’s known he’s been in life-threatening situations.”
Anat said her son’s burns could not heal due to the humidity in the tunnels, and that asthma attacks occur when he is temporarily brought above ground to keep him alive. “They keep moving him between interrogations, carried out with violence and electric shocks,” she said.
She added that a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several months ago revealed to the family how little was known about her son’s condition. “The prime minister didn’t know he was wounded. Since then, with testimony from other hostages, we’ve realized how critical and dangerous his condition is.”
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Angrest, a resident of Kiryat Bialik, was captured during the Oct. 7 assault — the deadliest single day in Israel’s history. Two months ago, his family released initial footage of his abduction, including images of him injured and interrogated, recovered by the Israel Defense Forces from Hamas materials seized in Gaza.
In that earlier video, Angrest, bloodied and visibly in pain, identified himself as a tank driver and sent messages to his family and the Israeli government.
“To my family — I hope to see you soon and I love you,” he said. “To Netanyahu — you must make the deal between the prisoners here and those in Israel. I want to see my family and friends. I trust you.”
The Israeli government has continued negotiations for the release of remaining hostages in Gaza. Angrest’s family says he met the criteria for previous humanitarian release phases but was excluded because of his military status.
“The government hasn’t brought back a single soldier,” Anat said. “They’re simply being left behind.”
First published: 19:55, 06.09.25