'Unbroken' – Former hostage Kupershtein recounts Passover in Hamas captivity

Freed Israeli hostage Bar Kupershtein recalls the Passover holiday he spent in Hamas captivity in his new book “Unbroken.” In this survival story, he described systematic abuse, forced labor and rare moments of hope during his long captivity in Gaza.

Kupershtein was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, 2023.

In his book, Kupershtein recalled one Hamas guard saying, “They tried to bring matzah for you prisoners, but they didn’t give food to us Gazans.” The former hostage described this rare moment as being an encouraging message from home in Israel during the ancient Jewish festival that celebrates freedom from slavery.

“Despite having no medicine, no conditions and certainly no matzah, it is a greeting from home. They are thinking of us. They have not forgotten us. I can imagine my mother turning the world upside down for me,” he wrote.

His mother, Julie, succeeded at the time in sending a message through negotiation channels.

“My Bar has been held hostage in Gaza for 188 days. I wish he and the others will not be there for Passover. Bar is Jewish. Bar has never eaten leavened bread on Passover. Bar will not eat leavened bread on Passover. I fear for his life. I demand to send a humanitarian truck of matzah to him and the other hostages. I appeal to Muslim religious leaders and human rights figures to ensure the matzah reaches them before the holiday, with a verse from the Quran about caring for captives,” she said.

In his book, Kupershtein also describes the second Passover he spent after 530 days in Hamas captivity.

"It is my second birthday here. My friends go to sleep, but I stay by the radio, maybe they will say something about me. On Army Radio, I hear people wishing me a happy birthday. I am happy. They have not forgotten me. I keep listening. And then, suddenly, my mother. I wake everyone and we gather around the radio. Her voice comes through the device: ‘Hostages who returned said they know. I hope he is among them. I wish I knew more. I am sure something is happening there.’"

Kupershtein writes, "‘To mark the day,’ the interviewer says to Julie, ‘you decided on a special evening at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, music and Torah study.’ 'Yes’ she says. Something different, to bring unity to these people. It is so important to see the beauty of the people of Israel. Artists, rabbis; everyone comes voluntarily. We want to give him strength.’"

He continues writing, "I cannot stop the tears. This is my mother. If she goes on air on my birthday, it is an incredible gift.”

In his book, Kupershtein describes how his mother’s words of encouragement helped him preserve hope and maintain his sanity during captivity in Gaza.

“This is what our Passover looks like,” he noted. “Slaves holding on.”

While expressing gratitude for his regained freedom, Kupershtein also criticized Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, claiming his policies contributed to the harsh conditions faced by hostages in Gaza.

“They came to us and just beat us up – lined us against the wall and really hit us,” Kupershtein recalled in an October 2025 interview.

“They told us, ‘This is because of Ben Gvir. Whatever he’s doing to our prisoners, you’ll get the same.’ They repeated it several times – came back and beat us again. A week later, they took me to their room, with my eyes covered, and as soon as I entered, I got two punches to the face – like cymbals crashing together,” he wrote.

Last week, Kupershtein presented his memoir “Unbroken” to Israeli President Isaac Herzog during a meeting in Jerusalem marking the book’s release. President Herzog praised the book, telling him, "Bar, your story carries great pain, but also a strength and hope that touch each and every one of us. On Passover, as we mark the passage from slavery to freedom, your story reminds us of the capacity to move from hardship to renewal, and of our responsibility as a society to continue to strengthen, rehabilitate, and build together."