All Living Hostages Are Home in Israel!

In just about an hour, we’ll celebrate Simchat Torah—the most joyous holiday on the Hebrew calendar. Yet, two years ago on this very same day, joy turned to horror. 1,200 Israelis were killed, and 250 were kidnapped and dragged into Gaza. Most have since returned home. But as of this morning, around 20 hostages were still there—many of them having spent nearly two years underground in unbearable conditions.

Then came the news we had all prayed for: every living hostage has returned home to Israel.

Elana and I woke up at 6 a.m. to watch the Israeli news. They announced that the first group of hostages would be released at 8 a.m. Over the next several hours, we watched, tears in our eyes, as our fellow Israelis finally stepped back onto their homeland after two years in captivity.

Two years ago, when Israelis were being raped, murdered, and kidnapped, Palestinians and their supporters celebrated across the world, passing out candy and offering well-wishes to the killers. Today, seven million Israelis rejoiced—not over death, but over life. They rejoiced over freedom. The entire nation vibrated with a joy rarely felt in our war-torn region. Words fail to capture the emotion of this day.

Remembering the Hostages

In the weeks following the October 7 massacre, artist Zeev Engelmayer began creating daily postcards to keep the hostages in everyone’s hearts.

One of his final drawings depicted Einav Zangauker, a mother who became a tireless advocate for her kidnapped son, Matan—shown in the postcard—along with all the other hostages. Today, after two long years, she finally embraced her son again.

Friends and families of the hostages gathered together overnight, unable to sleep, waiting for the sunrise release that had been scheduled for 6 a.m.

And after two years of anguish, Yosef-Chaim Ohana’s father finally held his son in his arms once more—a moment of unfiltered, holy joy.

There are countless more videos online capturing these miraculous reunions.

Donald and Danielle

Two very important people arrived in Israel this morning: my daughter Danielle Cantor, flying in from New York, and President Donald Trump, arriving from Washington, D.C.

Apparently, the country considered his arrival a little more significant than my daughter’s—because the entire airport and surrounding highways were shut down until he departed. So, when I arrived to pick up Danielle, I found myself stuck at a gas station with about 100 other drivers until the roads reopened. Still, nothing could dampen my joy. Danielle took the train, and I met her at the station.

On her flight, passengers watched live footage of the hostages being released. As the first names were announced, people began to weep. When the flight attendant confirmed the first group was free, the entire plane erupted in applause.

A young man named Ran also stopped by our house today. He’s a soldier who was shot in Gaza. Elana grew up with his mother, and we’re close to the family. A few months ago, no one was sure he would survive. Today, he walked through our door looking strong and whole. He brought us a beautiful new coffee-table book about the Israeli Defense Forces.

Because of your generosity, we were able to buy boots for about 40 soldiers and donate over $100,000 to an organization supporting the IDF—specifically to bereaved families who lost sons and daughters in this war.

There Is Only One Trump

President Donald Trump addressed the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) and, true to form, went off-script. He praised Israel’s generals, saying they looked like they came straight out of central casting—“Let’s put them in a movie!”

Then he turned to Yair Lapid, the opposition leader and former prime minister, and said, “He’s a very nice opposition leader. I think he’s a nice man.” Looking back at the Prime Minister, he quipped, “Bibi, he’s a nice man. He knows what he’s doing. Very nice guy. Now you can be a little nicer [to him], because you’re not at war anymore, Bibi.” 

Trump also chided both Netanyahu and the speaker of the Knesset for speaking too long, but added that they had good things to say, so it was OK. He had the Knesset roaring with laughter. It was one of the most undiplomatic, yet diplomatic, speeches I’ve ever heard that probably brought the people of Israel together even more. 

It was one of several good-natured jabs at Netanyahu—but the boldest moment came when Trump turned to Israel’s president and publicly asked him to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for corruption. I can’t think of another politician in modern history who would enter another country and ask its president—on live television—to pardon its leader! But this was Trump’s day. No one was more responsible for the hostages’ release than he was, and he knew it.

The crowd loved him—even though both the president, caught off guard by the “pardon” request, and the prime minister, who was publicly reminded of his trial, looked slightly embarrassed.

A Day to Remember

The entire day was wild—and wonderful. Tens of thousands filled Hostages’ Square, where Danielle went to straight after getting home. No time for rest—she showered and went to stand among the people of Israel on this most unforgettable day.

Usually, when people ask where you were during a historic moment, it’s a tragedy—like the Kennedy assassination or 9/11. But today was different. For the first time in my 60 years, I can recall a nationwide moment of pure joy—a day we will all remember not for sorrow, but for celebration.

I’m not naïve. I hope this marks the beginning of a new Middle East—but I know our politicians will probably find something to fight about by next week.

For now, though, it’s time to celebrate. Our relatives will be here soon. Tonight will be a Simchat Torah for the ages—one that no one will ever forget.

Give glory to God—every living hostage is home.We still await the bodies of those who did not survive. May their memory be a blessing, and may their families find comfort in the joy that has finally returned to Israel.