Hostage heard mother's voice through earth in Hamas tunnel

Bar Kupershtein, freed from Hamas captivity after 738 days, returned Tuesday to the Bezeq transmission facility in Yavneh alongside his mother Julie, officials from the Ministry of Communications, and Bezeq representatives.

They stood beside the AM antenna that was reactivated during the war specifically to carry IDF radio broadcasts beyond Israel's borders and into Gaza. There, Bar revealed one of the most shattering moments of his captivity: "On my birthday, 50 meters underground, I heard my mother on the radio wishing me mazal tov."

The visit was led by Moni Shemila, director of the Engineering Administration at the Ministry of Communications.

The moment illustrated the power of the voices of hope and the unbreakable bond between the hostages and their families, transmitted through radio waves that crossed enemy lines.

During his 738 days in Hamas tunnels, Galei Tzahal broadcasts through the AM antenna served as the hostages' lifeline to home and family.

Two weeks ago, Bar participated in Ichud Hatzalah's annual Sukkot concert at Sultan's Pool in Jerusalem, where the organization launched a special campaign to raise 738 defibrillators, one for each day he spent in captivity. During the evening, Bar sang onstage alongside artist Yair Elitzur in a moving performance connected to his experiences during captivity.

Following an interview that Rafi Arvus, father of fallen soldier Shai Arvus Hy"d who was killed in the "Tiger disaster," gave to Kikar Hashabbat, in which he raised a claim that hostage survivors had not come to thank him after returning home, prominent survivors rushed to respond. Bar Kupershtein wrote in response to the father: "Dear Rafi, we love you and I would be happy to come to you whenever you want."

Rom Braslavsky, Omer Wenkert and Elia Cohen also published warm and embracing responses, expressed deep support, and made clear they would be happy to visit Rafi Arvus at his home.