Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Former Israeli Hostages Engaged After Hamas Captivity
Matan Zangauker and Ilana Gritzewsky were held captive by Hamas after an attack on Israel.
Matan was captured for two years, and Ilana for nearly two months.
After being released, they got engaged and celebrated with a photo at a hotel in Florida.
Matan shared that he was treated badly during his captivity, with beatings and psychological pressure.
Despite the hard times, they are now happy and looking forward to their future together.
Matan Zangauker and Ilana Gritzewsky got engaged after being released from Hamas captivity.
They celebrated with a photo at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.
Zangauker was captured for two years, while Gritzewsky was held for nearly two months.
During captivity, Zangauker faced beatings, food deprivation, and psychological pressure.
Zangauker's mother, Einav, called the engagement photo her 'picture of victory'.
- Who
- Matan Zangauker and Ilana Gritzewsky, former Israeli hostages
- What
- Engagement after release from Hamas captivity
- When
- Engagement photo shared on Sunday overnight, release dates in October and November 2023
- Where
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, Hollywood, Florida
- Why
- Celebration of their freedom and new beginning
- Names
- Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky
- Engagement Location
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, Hollywood, Florida
- Capture Dates
- October 7, 2023 (Zangauker), November 2023 (Gritzewsky)
- Release Dates
- October 2023 (Zangauker), November 2023 (Gritzewsky)
- Captivity Duration
- Two years (Zangauker), nearly two months (Gritzewsky)
- Treatment During Captivity
- Beatings, food deprivation, psychological pressure
- First Israeli Encounter
- Body of a dead IDF soldier