US President Donald Trump welcomed nearly all the hostages released by Hamas in the past month as part of the ceasefire agreement he facilitated in October regarding Gaza.
While addressing the former hostages and their families at the White House, Trump remarked, “You’re not a hostage anymore… today you’re heroes.”
The group comprised 26 former hostages, including 17 of the 20 living captives who were freed under the agreement. Trump specifically acknowledged Matan Angrest, a member of the Israel Defense Force (IDF).
“Matan never faltered, and today he stands as a living testament to the resilience, spirit, and faith of the Jewish people. I assure you, you are a tremendous inspiration to everyone,” the president stated.
Trump presented each hostage with a special presidential coin as a mark of honor, while the former captives brought gifts for the president to show their appreciation.
In interviews prior to their visit to the White House, the former hostages conveyed their desire to express gratitude to Trump for facilitating their release, while also urging him to maintain pressure on Hamas to release the remains of the three deceased hostages still held in Gaza.
“It’s a privilege to meet all of you. I am familiar with some of you already. I know several of the previous hostages we successfully retrieved very well. We cherish you all, and our nation cherishes you all… you are remarkable individuals,” Trump stated.
Israel conducts airstrike
In the meantime, Gaza health officials reported that new Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of five individuals on Thursday, as ceasefire mediator Qatar cautioned that the renewed assaults could jeopardize the fragile truce that has lasted for weeks between Israel and Hamas.
These latest strikes occurred the morning after one of the most lethal days in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire commenced on October 10, and followed Israel’s series of attacks aimed at Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite the ongoing ceasefire there for nearly a year.
Qatar, a significant mediator in the conflict between Hamas and Israel, denounced the recent airstrikes as “a perilous escalation that threatens to disrupt the ceasefire agreement.”
