Inbal Tzah, Tal Shoham’s cousin, joined other relatives and friends in Tel Aviv on Saturday morning to witness Tal’s return from Hamas captivity.Credit: דוד בכר

The tension this time felt different. The images of the hostages released two weeks ago – emaciated and pale – still lingered in everyone’s minds.

The tragedy of bringing back the body of Shiri Bibas added another layer of unease. As the long minutes passed before Tal Shoham’s appearance on screen this Saturday, the prevailing emotion in the air was sheer anticipation.

Dozens of people – mostly family members and close friends – gathered on Saturday morning in the covered courtyard of a Tel Aviv restaurant. Every time a camera emerged, attendees instinctively straightened their posture and put on a smile, though for many, it barely concealed their anxiety.

Relatives and friends of Tal Shoham gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday morning to witness his return from Hamas captivity.Credit: David Bachar

“There was fear,” admitted a family friend in retrospect. “What would happen? How would he return? Would he even be able to stand on his own two feet?”

The first hour of this gathering was an emotional whirlwind – laughter and tears, optimism mixed with worry, smiles betraying lingering fear, and intense gazes reflecting a glimmer of hope. A single roll of tissue paper passed around the room, with many reaching for a piece – some to wipe away tears of fear, others tears of joy.

When they saw Tal get out of the Hamas vehicle, anxiety gave way to elation.

“Wow, it’s hard to put into words,” said Nofar Gilor, a friend of Tal. “I still can’t quite believe it.” But as the minutes passed, the reality began to sink in – eyes brightened, smiles widened, and not just for the cameras.

Relatives and friends of Tal Shoham gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday morning to witness his return from Hamas captivity.Credit: David Bachar

“After seeing Tal step out of the jeep, I can finally breathe,” she added. “We can breathe.” Yet she made it clear that winning this battle does not mean the war is over.
“We stand with Kibbutz Nir Oz and are still waiting for Tamir Adar, our classmate, a murdered hostage – we won’t stop fighting until he comes home.”

This sentiment – that the struggle is far from over – echoed in every conversation with family and friends. And so did the pain of the Bibas family.

“We embrace Yarden and the entire incredible Bibas family,” said Inbal Tzah, Tal’s cousin. “We promise, here in front of everyone, that we will continue until the last hostage is home. We’re not stopping – we’re just changing shirts and pressing on.”

On the counter, remained a white birthday cake. A layered cake with a few scattered strawberries and two candles forming the number “40.” Just two weeks ago, Tal’s friends and family had marked his birthday while he was still in captivity. Now, the time had finally come to celebrate properly. But no one touched the cake – perhaps they would wait until they could share it with him in person.

Relatives and friends of Omer Shem Tov gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday morning to witness his return from Hamas captivity.Credit: Itai Ron

The families of four released hostages – Abera Mengistu, Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Hisham al-Sayed – who were freed on Saturday from captivity, also expressed their joy at the return of their loved ones to Israel and called for the full implementation of the cease-fire agreement to secure the release of all hostages.

Malki Shem Tov, Omer’s father, said in an interview with Channel 12 following his son’s release: “505 days of anxiety and worry have come to an end. Omer may look thinner and paler, but he remains the most positive person in the world – just a beautiful kid.”

He added, “Our personal mission has been completed today, but the national mission is far from over – we must bring everyone home. In just a little while, Omer will arrive here, and we will embrace him and never let go.”

Abera Mengistu’s family said, “Ten years and five months of unimaginable suffering have passed for our family.” They described years of relentless efforts, prayers, and cries – “some silent, unanswered until today.”

Gil Elias, a relative who had fought for over a decade for Mengistu’s release, said, “Everyone is beyond excited. We couldn’t have asked for anything better.” He noted that, at least on the surface, Mengistu’s physical condition appeared stable, and the family hoped the same was true for his mental state.

“The first thing I’ll say to him is an apology – that it took us too long,” Elias admitted. “Right now, we are over the moon – this is a day of celebration for me.”

Relatives and friends of Abera Mengistu gathered in Ashkelon on Saturday morning to witness his return from Hamas captivity.Credit: Ilan Assayag

However, he added that once Mengistu was home and on the path to recovery, difficult conversations about what had transpired over the years would have to take place. “His captivity for so many years – it happened for many reasons. But for now, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that he’s back, and that’s our focus.”

Eliya Cohen’s family expressed their gratitude. “We are overwhelmed with emotion and thanks that Eliya is finally home after 505 long and painful days in captivity.” They acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his physical and mental well-being after enduring months of abuse and deprivation.

“This moment, which should be filled with joy, is also tinged with pain – for what he endured and for the families of those lost in the war.” They requested privacy.

Relatives of Eliya Cohen gathered in Modi’in on Saturday morning to witness his return from Hamas captivity.Credit: Hadas Parush

Sha’aban al-Sayed, whose son Hisham had been held captive in Gaza for over a decade, spoke of the tension surrounding his return later that day.

“These are difficult hours,” he said in an interview with Channel 12. “Our hearts are with the Bibas family – their story has deeply moved us, even as we prepare to welcome Hisham home.”

He admitted that his family was in a state of distress due to the uncertainty of Hisham’s condition. “We can’t know his state until we see him. We will wait, see him, and take it from there.”

He also mentioned other hostage families, saying, “We are part of a much larger situation. There are more families, more grief. I think I’ll tell him about the other hostages – I don’t know if he even knows. I will embrace him and help him understand where he stands.”

Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square on Saturday morning to witness six hostages return from Hamas captivity.Credit: Moti Milrod

At Hostage Square near the Tel Aviv Museum, thousands gathered to mark the release of the six freed hostages.

Protesters waved banners that read, “And the children shall return to their own borders”; “A rain of tears and hope”; and “Finally home.”

Miki Ziv, a regular protester at the square, urged for an end to this painful chapter. “This needs to end – for all families. We must bring everyone home in one move, now.” She added, “We will stand here in the rain, in the wind – until the last hostage returns.”

Roy Schwartz, Eden Solomon, Bar Peleg, Nir Hasson

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