After the Return of the Hostages: Families Awaited the End of Shabbat to Perform Havdalah

At the conclusion of Shabbat, moments of peak excitement were recorded at Beilinson Hospital, as the families of the four observers (Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, Karina Araiv, and Liri Elbag) who were released last night (Shabbat) from Hamas captivity requested to hold a Havdalah ceremony in the Returnees Unit. The ceremony, held in an intimate and moving atmosphere, was also attended by medical staff.

Dr. Michal Steinman, the head nurse at Beilinson and Sharon hospitals, told "Israel Hayom" about the special atmosphere in the unit during the Havdalah. "To be part of such a moment of reunion between families, between past and present, it’s simply moving. Even we, the professionals, found ourselves in tears."

As recalled, Merav Berger, the mother of the abducted observer Agam Berger, is still waiting for her return. During a challah-baking separation event held at the Kidnap Victims' Square in Tel Aviv over the weekend, Merav turned to the audience and media with a heartfelt request to avoid desecrating Shabbat while covering the release. Ultimately, Berger was not released, but it is very possible she will return to her family in the next phase.

Merav shared that the family, which has begun observing Shabbat since the start of the war for Agam's well-being, found spiritual strength in it. She proudly revealed that her daughter refused to desecrate Shabbat even in the captors' hands. "This is true heroism, demonstrating Agam's spiritual strength," she said.