The day following the release of six Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement’s first phase, the families of the freed individuals held press conferences at the Israeli hospitals where the returnees were receiving treatment.
Shaaban, the father of Hisham al-Sayed, who had been held by Hamas since April 2015, expressed his frustration regarding his son’s condition. “We were afraid we’d get him back unable to stand, but when we saw him walking to the Red Cross vehicle, we were relieved,” he remarked.
“However, when I embraced him, it felt like I was hugging something that wasn’t a person. He can’t speak, he has no memory, he doesn’t know anything. Hamas played politics on the back of a mentally ill man,” he continued. He criticized Hamas for their mistreatment of his son and urged negotiators to accelerate the process of bringing all hostages home. “I’m willing to sit with Hamas members anywhere, even on Al Jazeera, to prove he wasn’t a soldier,” he declared. “They didn’t want the world to see him because it would expose their lies.”
Ilan, the brother of Avera Mengistu, who had been held captive since September 2014, shared his emotional reaction to his brother’s return. “Our beloved Avera is home. Words can’t describe how we feel,” he stated. “This is a moment of hope and light amid the pain and suffering since October 7. But recovery is a long and difficult process. We’ll do everything to help him heal and find his place again.”
He also called for continued efforts to bring back the remaining hostages. “Behind the joy of returning hostages are deep physical and emotional scars,” he cautioned. “We must pressure decision-makers to bring everyone back now.”
At Sheba Medical Center, the families of four other released hostages—Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, and Eliya Cohen—also shared their experiences. Sheli Shem Tov, Omer’s mother, paid tribute to Ori Danino, who was killed in captivity after attempting to rescue Omer and others on October 7. “Ori is the hero and my son’s guardian angel,” she remarked. She went on to describe Omer’s harrowing ordeal: “The 450 days alone in a tunnel, suffering starvation and psychological abuse. His only wish was to lay his head on my lap and feel human warmth again.” She recalled how, when Omer first arrived in Israel, his immediate response was to embrace a psychologist who was there to greet him, desperate for human contact.
She also urged the international community to ramp up efforts to secure the release of all hostages. “As we celebrated, two other hostages sat terrified in the same vehicle, forced into Hamas’ grotesque spectacle. The Red Cross and world leaders must do the minimum—ensure their safety.”
Sigi Cohen, mother of Eliya Cohen, emphasized the daily struggle to raise awareness for the hostages. “For 505 days, we fought to bring Eliya home. He found strength in his faith, reciting prayers and making kiddush over a cup of water,” she shared. “We must stay united, keep fighting and bring everyone home.”
The families conveyed their gratitude to Israeli officials, IDF soldiers, and activists who had supported their efforts. “We’ve completed our personal mission,” Shem Tov said. “But the national mission is far from over. Every hostage must come home.”
{Matzav.com}