After 738 days in Gaza, Cunio brothers freed, mother declares 'my children are home'

Sylvia Cunio, the mother of released hostages David and Ariel Cunio, made a statement to the press at Sheba Medical Center on Wednesday.

“My children are home!” shouted Cunio, raising her hand triumphantly in the air. “My David and Ariel are here! My family is complete again; I am breathing again. They are beautiful, they are smiling and I can’t stop crying from happiness. It will take time until they return to themselves, but I rely on my wonderful children.”

The Argentine-born Israeli brothers were abducted by Hamas terrorists from their home at Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, alongside David’s wife Sharon Aloni Cunio, their two twin daughters, Emma and Yuli, and Ariel’s girlfriend, Arbel.

David’s wife Sharon and the twins were freed in November 2023 while Arbel was released after 482 days in Gaza. David and Ariel remained in captivity for 738 days until their release on Monday.

Cunio stood next to her daughter-in-law and Ariel’s girlfriend, Arbel, while addressing the bereaved families, whom she called "heroes." Cunio said they will always be in her heart, and declared the battle isn’t over until all the hostages are home and their bodies are buried in Israel.

“You will have a grave to go to,” said Cunio, her voice shaking with tears.

Cunio thanked Israel’s soldiers, the Kibbutz Nir Oz community, the mothers and the entire nation for continuing to fight for her children and all the hostages.

She also expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump and his staff, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog for their diplomatic efforts in making the ceasefire agreement and hostage release happen, saying, she can “finally hug my children.”

Videos and images captured the emotional moment of tears and heart-felt embraces when David was reunited with Sharon and the twin girls. Ariel also reunited with Arbel, bringing the end of the long separation for both couples.