Trump Welcomes Freed Israeli Hostages to White House: ‘You’re Heroes’
President Donald Trump hosted more than a dozen recently freed Israeli hostages and their families at the White House on Thursday, calling them “heroes” and praising their resilience in the face of horrific captivity under Hamas terrorists.
“You’re not a hostage anymore,” Trump told the group during remarks in the State Dining Room. “Today, you’re heroes.”
The closed-door meeting, later highlighted in clips posted by White House deputy communications director Margo Martin, brought together the survivors of Hamas captivity following their release last month under a historic Trump-brokered ceasefire deal. Many of those present were among the last hostages to be freed, having endured an unthinkable 738 days in Gaza.
“It’s an honor to get to know all of you,” Trump said. “We love you all, and our country loves you all.”
Among the freed hostages in attendance were Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Bar Kuperstein, Nimrod Cohen, Gali and Ziv Berman, Ariel and David Kunio, Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Segev Kalfon, Evyatar David, Eitan and Iair Horn, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Avinatan Or, Noa Argamani, Eitan Mor, and Elkana Bohbot, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Trump singled out Angrest, an Israeli soldier who suffered severe beatings during his captivity. “He went through hell,” the president said. “Matan never broke, and today he’s a living testimony to the toughness, heart, and faith of the Jewish people. You’re a great inspiration to everybody, whether you’re Jewish or not.”
The president gifted each former hostage with a presidential challenge coin, which he referred to as “super coins.”
In an emotional exchange, twins Gali and Ziv Berman presented Trump with a mezuzah that had survived the October 7, 2023, massacre at Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The mezuzah was salvaged from Gali’s room after Hamas militants attacked the community.
“The mezuzah survived. Gali survived. And now, this sacred item survived,” read the note accompanying their gift. “Out of deep respect and heartfelt gratitude, we present you with a small yet powerful symbol of protection and faith… as a gesture of honor and appreciation for your efforts in securing the return of the hostages.”
While the moment was celebratory, the former hostages also made clear that the mission is not over. In a social media post shared after the meeting, one survivor stated: “There are other families who are still experiencing the pain that our families experienced. It is not over until everyone returns.”
Three Israeli hostages remain unaccounted for, with their bodies believed to still be held by Hamas in Gaza.