The President met with Ariel and David Cunio, who were kidnapped by Hamas in 2023 and held as hostages until 2025
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President Javier Milei, together with Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, received brothers Ariel and David Cunio at Casa Rosada. Both are Argentine citizens who were kidnapped by the terrorist group Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel.
The brothers were released in October 2025, after more than two years in captivity. Their release was the result of peace efforts promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump, as highlighted by the Office of the President.
Milei y Quirno se reunieron con los hermanos Cunio, ex rehénes de Hamás
A kidnapping that left a mark on the Argentine community
During Hamas's terrorist attack in October 2023, 21 Argentine citizens were kidnapped. Five of them were murdered and 16 managed to survive. The Cunio family was one of the hardest hit: eight of its members were left in the hands of the terrorists.
David Cunio junto a sus mellizas: Emma y Yuli
Among them were twins Emma and Yuli, who regained their freedom in November 2023. As the months went by, all the family members were released. Ariel and David were part of one of the last groups of Argentine hostages to regain their freedom, together with Eitan Horn.
From captivity in Gaza to support from the Argentine Government
In statements after his release, David Cunio described to Israeli media the extreme conditions of confinement that he suffered during his captivity in Gaza. He denounced deprivation of water and food, confinement in darkness, and transfers between houses, hospitals, and underground tunnels.
He also exposed the systematic psychological torture carried out by Hamas, which included the dissemination of false information about the fate of his relatives in order to break the hostages emotionally.
Reencuentro de David Cunio con sus hijas
Ariel and David were received by the Argentine President and Foreign Minister. During the meeting they were accompanied by Leah Soibel, founder and chief executive officer of the news agency Fuente Latina.
The meeting is part of an ongoing line of support from the Argentine Government for the victims of terrorism. Milei had already met in 2025 with relatives of the Argentine hostages. He also became the first Argentine president to speak before the Knesset , reaffirming alignment with Israel and the fight against terrorism.
Los hermanos regresando del cautiverio: "Gracias a la Nación de Israel por luchar por nosotros"
A firm stance against terrorism
Ariel Cunio con su pareja
Since the beginning of his term, Milei has maintained an unequivocal stance of condemnation of Hamas, which he has defined as a terrorist organization. In turn, he has reaffirmed Argentina's commitment to the defense of democracy, freedom, and international security.
The reception of Ariel and David Cunio at Casa Rosada represents an institutional gesture of support for the victims of terrorism. It is also a reaffirmation of Argentina's foreign policy of alignment with the nations that confront extremism.
