'It's hard to understand how they survived': Toronto man's family held hostage by Hamas released
The wait is over for Toronto man Ahron Brodutch and his wife Shira – their sister-and-law, niece and nephews have been released from captivity.
"They're doing okay," Brodutch told CTV News Toronto after returning from Israel. "There's still a lot of trauma that we can already see. And they lost a lot of weight."
His two nephews, Yuval, 8; Uriah, 4; his niece Ofri, 10; and his sister-in-law Hagar Brodutch, were all taken hostage on Oct. 7 by Hamas.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
When they were released on Nov. 26, they were still wearing the same clothes they’d been clothed in when they were seized.
"It's hard to understand how they survived and how they went through this incredibly gruelling experience," said Brodutch. "My brother's wife is, she's the big hero in the story, you know, taking care of her family in captivity."
Brodutch had gone to Israel to support his brother. For weeks, he and his wife had been sharing their story and applying pressure on governments and NGOs to do something to bring all the hostages home.
He did not elaborate on their time in captivity, saying only that the family could stay together and his niece had really stepped up.
"Hagar said she was just [an] incredible number 2 person, you know, helping her with the younger kids," said Brodutch.
When he visited Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, he said he brought the family's dog, Rodney.
“When I was there, I asked the kids, like, ‘Who did you miss the most?’ And they said their father, obviously,” he said, adding the children also missed their dog.
A touching video of the reunion between the kids and their dog was shared by the hospital's Instagram account, which is where the family is currently staying at.
"There's a new wing [and] they created a facility to have them there as long as they want. They're still there," said Brodutch.
Brodutch said they are going to be moving somewhere else, but they haven’t decided yet – “in terms of the long term, it’s very hard to tell.”
He hopes to see joy for other families with the return of more hostages and said while their family's fight may be over, it's certainly not for everyone.
"I'm hoping those negotiations continue. I hope the fighting doesn't restart until all the hostages are out," said Brodutch.
The war erupted after Hamas, a militant group deemed a terrorist organization by the Canadian government, killed some 1,200 people and seized around 240 captives in a surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza, killing more than 13,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
International mediators are working to extend the ceasefire, according to The Associated Press, which is hours from expiring. The ceasefire, which paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades, has seen hostages released by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978649.1722015109!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump's near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president's ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president's injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Powerful cartel leader 'El Mayo' Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in U.S., AP source says
A powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who eluded authorities for decades was duped into flying into the U.S., where he was arrested alongside a son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, according to a U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the matter.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.