Israel supporters worldwide celebrate return of hostages

Jews, Israelis, and supporters of Israel around the world – from New York to Paris – celebrated on Monday as the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages were freed after 738 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza. In Manhattan’s Central Park, hundreds of people waving Israeli and American flags gathered to mark the moment, cheering and shouting, “They’re coming home!”

Inbal Bechar of the Kibbutz Be’eri Families Forum addressed the crowd in New York.

“Maybe right this moment, a new day is beginning. We’ll see them step out of the vehicles and run into their families’ arms. Two years without a hug – and now it’s happening,” Bechar said. Kibbutz Be'eri was one of the hardest hit communities on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists breached the Gaza border and attacked southern Israel.

Dana Zweiger, cofounder of the forum, expressed gratitude towards U.S. President Donald Trump for securing the return of the remaining living hostages.

“In the end, he got it done,” she said. “All that’s left is to thank the Trump administration,” she added.

Israeli expats also celebrated the release of the hostages from Gaza. Leon Lerman, an Israeli tech entrepreneur in New York, told the media that he and his friends watched the live broadcast of the hostage release.

“It was important for us to be together, to hear our own anchors say the words ‘they are free,’” he said. “We wanted to experience it together, even from afar.”

Agudath Israel of America, one of the largest ultra-Orthodox organizations in the United States, thanked God and Trump for bringing the hostages back alive.

“Blessed be God, who frees the captives. We rejoice in the release of those who were in the depths, thank President Trump for his leadership, and pray for their full recovery.”

Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women stated, “Today, Jews everywhere can finally breathe again. We are celebrating life, but we’re not forgetting those who haven’t returned,” she said in reference to the remaining bodies of Israeli hostages. On Tuesday, Hamas released only four of the 28 bodies, in violation of the ceasefire agreement that stipulated that all the remaining hostages be returned within 72 hours.

Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, welcomed the release of the 20 living hostages and stressed that Hamas must not be permitted to have any future governing role in post-war Gaza.

“Hamas must have no role in the future of the Palestinian people,” Lauder stated. “The group must be disarmed, and the bodies of the 28 murdered victims must be brought home,” he added.

Thanksgiving prayers were held in Chicago and Miami and Jewish day schools sang, “Am Yisrael Chai” (The people of Israel live).

Meanwhile, some 1,000 people gathered near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, to welcome the release of the Israeli hostages.

“We decided not to do anything until everyone was confirmed back on Israeli soil,” said Yosef Moursiano, president of Jewish Students of France. “Then we sent out messages, set up microphones and speakers, and reminded ourselves that it was time to rejoice.”

He recalled, “We started working like crazy on Oct. 7, 2023. We thought it would be a sprint, but it became a marathon,” adding, “Now we’ll rest a little and begin the next phase of our struggle – against antisemitism.”

French Jewish community leaders and members of the National Assembly in France also joined the celebrations, with some holding Israeli flags.

Several dozen people also gathered in Berlin, Germany, to celebrate the return of the hostages after two years in captivity. The crowd included local Israeli activists and German politicians, including Karoline Preisler and Volker Beck.