New Delhi, July 29 -- As Israel has announced steps to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza, a former Israeli-Argentinian hostage knows firsthand what that could mean for captives of the Hamas militant group.

Iair Horn, who spent a year and a half in captivity, said hostages could tell when more aid was available because they would receive more food.

"When there's less food, then there's also less for the hostages. When there's aid, there's a possibility you might get a cucumber," said Horn, 46.

Hamas militants kidnapped Horn from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with 250 other people, during the group's cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023. He was released Feb. 15 after 498 days in captivity. For most of that time, he was held in an unde...