Israeli hostage survivor Bar Kuperstein, 24, has revealed the horrific torture, starvation and psychological abuse he endured during 738 days in Hamas captivity, including being forced to dig his own grave for a propaganda video, receiving repeated beatings and losing 65 pounds (29 kg). Kuperstein described most of his captivity underground with five other hostages, without daylight, proper sanitation or enough food. The hostages slept on thin mattresses on the floor, a hole was dug next to them to be used as a toilet and they were only allowed to shower once a month. Their drinking water was contaminated, while their meals consisted of rice and half a pita with cheese, infested with maggots. Kuperstein recalled how the Hamas terrorists repeatedly told the hostages that Israel had abandoned them and wanted them dead. They were also forced to record propaganda videos praising their captors. Following the collapse of the hostage negotiations in early 2025, the abuse increased. "Hamas came day after day and beat us," he recalled. During one particularly brutal attack, terrorists blindfolded Kuperstein and hostage Yosef Chaim Ohana, hit him in the face, dragged him by his feet into another room and tied his legs together. He feared they were preparing to amputate one of his legs. The blow lasted about 30 minutes and left him unable to stand properly for a month. Kuperstein was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, when Hamas began the massacre. Before he was kidnapped, he convinced a police chief to open an emergency exit, helping more than 2,000 festival-goers escape. He also used an SUV to evacuate the wounded before the terrorists took over the festival. In the end he was caught and taken to Gaza. Despite the terrible conditions, Kuperstein said he and his fellow hostages maintained their Jewish traditions, gathering weekly for Kiddush prayers using salt water instead.

Israeli hostage survivor Bar Kuperstein, 24, has revealed the horrific torture, starvation and psychological abuse he endured during 738 days in Hamas captivity, including being forced to dig his own grave for a propaganda video, receiving repeated beatings and losing 65 pounds (29 kg). Kuperstein described most of his captivity underground with five other hostages, without daylight, proper sanitation or enough food. The hostages slept on thin mattresses on the floor, a hole was dug next to them to be used as a toilet and they were only allowed to shower once a month. Their drinking water was contaminated, while their meals consisted of rice and half a pita with cheese, infested with maggots. Kuperstein recalled how the Hamas terrorists repeatedly told the hostages that Israel had abandoned them and wanted them dead. They were also forced to record propaganda videos praising their captors. Following the collapse of the hostage negotiations in early 2025, the abuse increased. "Hamas came day after day and beat us," he recalled. During one particularly brutal attack, terrorists blindfolded Kuperstein and hostage Yosef Chaim Ohana, hit him in the face, dragged him by his feet into another room and tied his legs together. He feared they were preparing to amputate one of his legs. The blow lasted about 30 minutes and left him unable to stand properly for a month. Kuperstein was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, when Hamas began the massacre. Before he was kidnapped, he convinced a police chief to open an emergency exit, helping more than 2,000 festival-goers escape. He also used an SUV to evacuate the wounded before the terrorists took over the festival. In the end he was caught and taken to Gaza. Despite the terrible conditions, Kuperstein said he and his fellow hostages maintained their Jewish traditions, gathering weekly for Kiddush prayers using salt water instead.