Cunio brothers return home two years after attack that shocked Israel

The Cunio family is finally celebrating news they have awaited for two years: the release of David and Ariel, the two Israeli brothers kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October 2023.

Their grandmother, Esther Cunio, a 90-year-old Argentinian living in Israel, received the news with tears and relief in her home at Nir Oz kibbutz.

When asked what she would say to her grandchildren when she saw them, she said, "That I adore them. What else can I say? I adore them, and I missed them."

The young men were released on Monday as part of the first phase of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, a negotiation that marks the end of one of the most painful chapters of the conflict in Gaza.

With their return, Israel would no longer have any live hostages in the Strip, although bodies remain unrecovered.

The 7 October attack marked a turning point in the region: in a single day, Hamas militants penetrated Israeli communities near Gaza, leaving hundreds dead and capturing dozens of civilians.

For months, the families of the missing lived in uncertainty, with no news about their fate or the possibility of contacting their loved ones.

The recent agreement, negotiated with the mediation of Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States, enabled the final releases and offered a faint hope of stability.

However, many Israeli families are still seeking to recover the bodies of their loved ones and demand answers about what happened during captivity.

Cunio family was one of the hardest hit

The Cunio family was one of the hardest hit by the 7 October attack: eight of its members were kidnapped that morning, including the twins Emma and Yuli, who were released weeks later, in November 2023.

The release of David and Ariel completes a long and agonising wait for the family, who kept hope alive for more than two years.

Esther Cunio's name made headlines worldwide when it was revealed that she had escaped being kidnapped thanks to an unexpected response: when she mentioned she was a fan of footballer Lionel Messi, the militants who stormed her home decided to let her go.

Since then, she has become a symbol of resilience and hope for the Israeli Latin American community.

For weeks after the attack, Esther knew nothing about her grandchildren. "I didn't know anything. I found out later when it was all over. No one wanted to tell me to spare me the pain," she recalls. "When they told me, I felt an enormous sadness. I couldn't do anything."

On Monday, when the release of David and Ariel was confirmed, Esther couldn't leave the television. "When I saw it, I started to cry. I have four grandchildren, and he was always so good to me. They took care of me like a queen. They fixed the lights for me and did the shopping. They are good boys, very good boys."

A family that never gave up

From Tel Aviv, the brothers' uncle, Sergio Cunio, spoke about the reunion with his nephews and the long wait. "Thank God I am here to tell the story," he said.

"That day was my birthday, 7 October. We were planning to go and celebrate with Daniel, who has the same birthday, but fate changed everything. That's how the ordeal began. Those two years were really difficult for me."

Sergio says the first thing he will do when he sees them is to gather the whole family. "I am happy, very happy. I love them so much. We hope everything returns to normal so we can visit them, be with them, and enjoy them as always. Grandma Esther always said, 'Always together,' and so we will always be together. Thank God."

During the two years of captivity, the Cunio family remained united and active in the search for their loved ones.

Sergio particularly highlights the strength of Silvia, the mother of David, Ariel, Emma, and Yuli, who led the international campaign to secure the release of her children.

"Thanks to Silvia's strength, because she is really a lioness," he said. "She led the way, and we supported her. It was our goal. We are happy, very happy."

On Monday, after the release, the first direct news arrived. "We saw photos; the kids are fine; we are in contact by phone. We know they are recovering, undergoing all the necessary tests," Sergio said.

"And when they come back, we'll bring them here, to my house, to have a nice barbecue, as they always liked."