Israeli hostage families thank US President Trump for Gaza deal

The families of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza for the past two years praised U.S. President Donald Trump after he confirmed on Thursday morning that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between Israel and Hamas. 

"We are the families of hostages. We came here to Washington, D.C., this week to mark the October 7 attack against our people when our loved ones were captured by Hamas terrorists," the hostage families said in the video. 

They thanked Trump for his courage in securing the release of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza. 

ALL hostages to be released very soon! https://t.co/tmNrNaQwxi pic.twitter.com/XGjfj9Wm65

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 8, 2025

"And today, President Trump has done it. He announced just now that our loved ones, the hostages, are coming home. We will not stop fighting until we see the last of the 48 return to their family, those who were murdered in captivity, buried in the Land of Israel, (and) those who are still alive, walking through the border and reuniting with their families. Thank you, President Trump, for your courage. Thank you to the Trump administration for doing everything you can to bring them home."

Trump’s announcement regarding the Gaza deal was also welcomed by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. 

"The families of the hostages received the news of the agreement to bring back all 48 hostages and the one female hostage with emotion, anticipation, and apprehension," the Forum said in an official statement. 

Einav Zangauker, the mother of the hostage Matan Zangauker, expressed joy that her son will return home to Israel after a grueling two years in Hamas captivity. 

"Matan returns home, to me, to Natalie and Shani," Einav wrote in a post on the social media platform 𝕏. "For these tears, I prayed," she added.

President Trump on the phone with hostage family members and captivity survivors in Washington a few moments ago. pic.twitter.com/V3riZgMi84

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) October 9, 2025

Families of other hostages expressed similar emotions. 

"Home, home, my Matan," Anat Angrest, the mother of hostage Matan Angrest wrote. "The time has come to return," she added. 

Former hostage Omer Wenkert also welcomed the announcement that all remaining 48 hostages are expected to be freed in the coming days. 

"Thank you, God," Wenkert stated on Instagram, where he also posted a video of himself raising a glass to the remaining hostages. 

Meirav Gilboa Dalal, the mother of the hostage Guy Gilboa Dalal, expressed relief after learning that her son is expected to return home soon.  “I can’t breathe," she told the Israeli news outlet N12. 

"I’m waiting for the moment I finally get my son back, for him to rest his head on my shoulder and for me to tell him, ‘That’s it, it’s over.’ The main thing is that he comes back healthy and whole, on his feet. We’re all so happy. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stand when I see him, or that I won’t faint. It will be the happiest day of my life, my new birthday,” Meirav said. 

Up to 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to be still alive. However, the other 28 remaining hostages are estimated to no longer be alive.

Ruby Chen, the father of Itay Chen, an IDF soldier who was killed during the Oct. 7 massacre two years ago, expressed hope to receive the body of his deceased son that Hamas has held in Gaza. 

"We are still nervous if and when Itay and the other hostages on the deceased list will be found and brought back to us," Chen wrote.

Following the dramatic development in the Middle East, Trump is reportedly heading to Jerusalem on Sunday. 

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our peace plan,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.

“This means that ALL of the hostages will be released very soon and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed-upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace."

Hostage families in Washington upon receiving the news of President Trump’s announcement of an agreement that will bring all the hostages home.

Photo credit: Liri Agami and Alon Kaplun pic.twitter.com/5lZOAYcbA9

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) October 9, 2025

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