The family of Avinatan Or, one of Israel’s longest-held hostages, has spoken publicly following his dramatic release from Hamas captivity — a moment his brother, Moshe Or, described as “one of the most moving moments I’ve experienced since the beginning of the war.”

According to the Or family, Avinatan endured nearly two years in captivity under harrowing conditions. He was reportedly kept starved, chained, and completely isolated inside a narrow tunnel cage beneath Gaza. Despite relentless psychological and physical pressure, Avinatan refused to cooperate with Hamas propaganda efforts, his mother revealed.

“They wanted to use him in videos as psychological pressure on Israel to end the war — but he wouldn’t give them that,” she said.

Upon his release, Avinatan’s first words were characteristically understated:

“I’m fine, I’m just tired.”

The statement struck a chord across Israel and beyond, symbolizing both his resilience and the human cost of the ongoing conflict.

Avinatan’s release follows months of intense negotiations involving international mediators and backchannel communications. While the details of the deal remain undisclosed, officials confirmed that several other hostages remain unaccounted for.

For the Or family, the reunion marks both relief and lingering pain — a reminder of the endurance of one man and the many others still waiting to come home.