After 738 Days of Hell: Former Hostage Matan Angrest Returns Home to Thousands of Adoring Fans | WATCH

After enduring 738 days in terrorist captivity, former hostage and tank soldier Matan Angrest made a triumphant return to his hometown of Kiryat Bialik, where he was greeted by thousands of enthusiastic Israelis waving national flags and the signature green of his beloved Maccabi Haifa football club.

Angrest, who was released from rehabilitation at the Maccabiah Village on Thursday afternoon, transformed his journey north into a celebration of national resilience and football fandom.

The route home was marked by several stops, beginning with crowds outside the Maccabiah Village who cheered and sang "We love you." As Angrest entered his family’s car, he symbolically removed his own image from when he was held hostage in Gaza.

A Hero’s Tour North

Decked out in a Maccabi Haifa green scarf, Angrest’s journey north became a spontaneous rally. He waved to supporters lining the Coastal Highway and stopped in the town of Or Akiva to greet celebrating residents.

The highlight for the die-hard fan came when his convoy paused outside his team’s home ground, Sammy Ofer Stadium. There, Maccabi Haifa supporters lifted him onto their shoulders in an outpouring of emotion.

The climax of the return was in Kiryat Bialik, where thousands had gathered outside his home. Angrest, along with his family, mounted a truck, and the atmosphere exploded with excitement. The crowd ignited flares, and Angrest himself lit a green flare, leading the fans in chants of "Am Yisrael Chai!" (The People of Israel Live!).

From his balcony, a deeply moved Angrest addressed the massive crowd: "Thank you all very much. You strengthened me, I love you very much, you are amazing." The crowd roared back the cry of "Hero!"

A Pledge for the Remaining Hostages

Despite his newfound freedom, Angrest immediately used his platform to advocate for those still held captive. He passionately declared: "With God's help, we will destroy Hamas and defeat terrorism. It is mandatory to bring everyone home, bring everyone back now."

Earlier, addressing the crowd that awaited him, he said, "It is a great pleasure to return home and be here. Thank you to the people of Israel, thank you to everyone. Thank you to the soldiers and the IDF. I love you the most in the world."

Angrest, an armored corps soldier, was severely injured when he was abducted from his tank near Nahal Oz on October 7 during a battle against Hamas terrorists. His comrades, Captain Daniel Perez, Sergeant Tomer Leibovitch, and Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, fell in that battle. Chen’s body is still being held by the terrorists in Gaza.

After his release, Angrest was initially treated at Sheba Hospital before moving to the Maccabiah Village for a brief acclimatization and rehabilitation period. Just yesterday, he made his first post-captivity visit to the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. There, he made a solemn promise to act "to the best of his ability until the last hostage is returned," and posed with a photo of his fallen comrade, Itay Chen.