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With Tears and Embraces, Israelis Celebrate Return of 3 Hostages

Israelis cried with joy upon witnessing the release of Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon, and Keith Siegel, and insisted that the deal continue until all the hostages are brought back home

עופר קלדרון עם ילדיו בבית החולים שיבא (צילום: מעיין טואף / לע"מ)
Ofer Calderon embracing his children after returning from Gaza. (Photo: Maayan Toaf/Government Press Office)
By Michal Marantz

Hundreds of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Saturday to show their support for the three hostages who were released from Gaza. As Yarden Bibas, 35, whose wife and two small children are still held in Gaza; Ofer Calderon, 54, whose children were released from Hamas captivity last year; and Keith Siegel, 65, a joint US-Israel citizen were released, those gathered at the square embraced, shed tears, and shouted cries of joy.

Hostages Square on Saturday. (Photo: Adar Eyal)
Hostages Square on Saturday. (Photo: Adar Eyal)

Benny Kozkero, 75, was at the square holding a sign for Keith Siegel. Kozkero told Davar that he fought in the Israeli army during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, during which hundreds of Israeli soldiers were taken captive as prisoners of war.

“The abandonment by the leadership and the IDF on October 7 is something that should be investigated, and responsibility must be taken for it. First, we must bring all the hostages home, and then the leaders must be held accountable, especially for the younger generation,” he said.

Benny Kozkero holding a sign for Keith Siegel. (Photo: Michal Marantz)
Benny Kozkero holding a sign for Keith Siegel. (Photo: Michal Marantz)

As someone who witnesses the release of POWs from the Yom Kippur War, seeing these hostages released felt like “a full circle,” he said.

Paul Stepankovsky of Chicago was at Hostage Square during a solidarity visit to Israel with the Jewish Federation of Chicago. The federation provides financial support to the southern city of Kiryat Gat, which is Chicago’s twin city, and to Kibbutz Nir Oz, from which the Bibas and Calderon families were kidnapped.

Paul Stepankovsky holding a sign for Keith Siegel. (Photo: Michal Marantz)
Paul Stepankovsky holding a sign for Keith Siegel. (Photo: Michal Marantz)

“I’m here to show my solidarity with Israel and to make sure all the hostages return home,” Stepankovsky said.

Danny Miran, whose son Omri Miran is still held hostage, spoke to those gathered in the square. “Good morning to this crowd, thanks to whom our families’ loved ones are being released,” he said. He called on those present to keep coming back each time more hostages are set free.

A 20 minute walk from the square, others gathered in front of Ichilov Hospital, where Keith Siegel was brought for medical assessments.

Lian Dahan and Alex Jori outside of Ichilov Hospital on Saturday. (Photo: Michal Marantz)
Lian Dahan and Alex Jori outside of Ichilov Hospital on Saturday. (Photo: Michal Marantz)

Ten-year-old Lian Dahan and 11-year-old Alex Jori stood in front of the hospital waving Israeli flags and holding photos of the hostages still held in Gaza, including Yarden Bibas’ wife and children.

“This is about the 27th time we’ve stood with photos of the hostages,” Dahan told Davar. “We wanted to be here for the happy moments. These are moments when everyone should be together.”

“I hope all the hostages return to meet their families, and that they come back healthy and whole,” Jori added.

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