Freed Hostages to Arrive in Washington Today to Thank Trump for Securing Their Release

A delegation of freed hostages arrived in Washington today to personally thank US President Donald Trump for helping secure their release in the most recent deal. The group is made up of most of the captives held in Gaza for two years released in the most recent hostage deal, joined by previously released hostages Noa Argamani and Ilana Gritzewsky. Three former hostages, Alon Ohel, Maxim Herkin and Rom Braslavski, remained in Israel.

Israeli officials say the families wanted to deliver their gratitude directly, describing the meeting as a symbolic closing of one chapter and a reminder that the hostage issue remains unfinished.

Ahead of the trip, former hostage Eitan Mor prepared a personal gift for Trump: a Chanukah dreidel. In an accompanying letter, his father, Tzvika Mor, wrote that their family wanted to honor the president’s role in bringing their children back after “738 endless days.” Mor, who led the Forum of Hope, said the group’s mission of securing the hostages’ release without capitulating to Hamas was made possible by Trump’s willingness to use force. He described the dreidel as a symbol of light, continuity and the historic moment their families experienced.

Upon arrival, the delegation will tour Washington and is scheduled to enter the White House around noon. The meeting with Trump is set for approximately 2 p.m. Later this evening, from 5 to 7 p.m., the group will attend a reception and dinner at the Israeli embassy with Jewish organizations, IDF officers and veterans. Trump aides Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who both took a part in the deal, will attend as well.

Although Trump offered to send a private plane to bring the freed hostages to Washington, Israel chose to fund the trip itself. Instead of flying aboard the official Wings of Zion aircraft, the delegation traveled on a commercial Arkia flight to New York before continuing to Washington by land today. 

Before leaving New York, freed hostages Ziv and Gali Berman said they would thank Trump and urge continued pressure until the remains of the final three captives, Dror Or, Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak are returned. “Thank you, and let’s not stop, let’s keep going,” Ziv told Channel 12. Gali added that despite the recent F-35 sale to Saudi Arabia, “we want to tell him to continue to support the fight and help the State of Israel.”

“Am Yisrael Chai — we love you,” the brothers said in a message to the Israeli public.*ירון אברהם:* 17 שורדי שבי ייפגשו הערב שעון ישראל עם הנשיא טראמפ בבית הלבן