Trump Hosts Freed Israeli Hostages at the White House

On Thursday, President Trump welcomed a group of freed Israeli hostages and their families to the White House, expressing admiration for their courage and calling them “heroes.”

“You are no longer a hostage,” Trump stated during his speech at the White House cafeteria. “From today onwards, you are heroes.”

This gathering takes place less than a month after Hamas released its last remaining captive in Gaza, following a cease-fire agreement led by Trump and other U.S. officials. Many of those present had endured 738 days in captivity before their release.

“It’s been an honor to get to know all of you,” the president said at a private event, according to footage shared by aide Margo Martin. “We love you all, and our country loves you all,” he added.

As reported by Jerusalem Post, some of the former hostages who met with Trump are Matan Angrest, Omri Milan, Burl Kuperstein, among others. They were part of a larger group that faced immense challenges during their captivity.

During the event, Trump highlighted Angrest’s resilience, noting that he endured severe beatings during his service in the Israel Defense Forces.

“He went through hell,” Trump remarked about the released soldier. “Matan never gave up. Today he is a living witness to the toughness, heart, and faith of the Jewish people,” he continued. “You are a great inspiration to everyone, Jewish or not.”

In a notable gesture, Trump presented each of the former hostages with presidential challenge coins, referring to them as “supercoins.”

Additionally, twins Ghali and Ziv Berman gave Trump a mezuzah that had survived an attack by Hamas on their home on October 7, 2023. In a note, they shared its significance:

“This mezuzah was lovingly removed from the door of Mr. Ghali’s room in our home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a community that endured unimaginable horrors,” the twins wrote. “It has survived… as a sign of honor and appreciation for your efforts to secure the return of the hostages.”

Despite the joyous reunion, former hostages conveyed on social media that the fight for others still remains, sharing their sentiments on the ongoing struggle.

One individual remarked about the fate of three other hostages still in captivity, saying, “There are families who are still experiencing the pain that our family went through. The pain is not over until we all return.”