The relatives of several released Gaza hostages called for a state commission of inquiry to be established and for the remaining deceased hostages to be returned in Tuesday statements given at Sourasky Medical Center's Ichilov Hospital and Sheba Medical Center respectively. These were the first statements since the release of their hostage relatives on Monday.
"Yesterday, our national healing journey began, as a people," Lishay Miran-Lavi, wife of Omri Miran, said, adding that “the journey that will not end until the last hostage is returned, and until a state commission of inquiry is established. And we will be part of this struggle.”
"Until the last hostage is returned. Until the establishment of a commission of inquiry. Because only then will we create a worthy country for those who paid with their lives. Only then will we create a country worthy of our children, where Roni and Alma will be able to grow," she continued.
Anat Angrest, mother of Matan Angrest, discussed a conversation she had with her son about the fighting in Gaza: “One of the first things Matan told me when I saw him was, ‘Mom, you should know - we were alone, but we fought and killed many terrorists.’
“Through tears, he spoke about how proud he is of his brave comrades who were killed in the difficult battles: Tomer Leibovitz, Daniel Peretz, and Itay Chen. Matan needs a place to honor their memory. These heroes deserve to be buried in the country they fought for,” she explained.
“Unfortunately, my family and I learned firsthand throughout this journey what it feels like to be left behind, and we cannot allow this to happen to any other family. We will not rest until everyone returns; until the last hostage comes home,” Angrest demanded.
Hostage families speak about the difficult next step
“Don't let the smile fool you; the road ahead is still long,” warned Viki Cohen, mother of Nimrod Cohen. “We are all committed to this mission - to help Nimrod return to as normal a life as possible. We will embrace him, wrap him in love, and together, hand in hand, we will accompany him on this long journey filled with joy and hope.”
Rivka Bohbot, wife of Elkana Bohbot, talked about the condition of her husband. “During the recent months, Elkana received no food, as was evident in the videos that were released. He endured abuse and tremendous suffering.”
"Just before his release, he was given large amounts of food so that he would look somewhat better for the world to see. Because of this, Elkana is currently suffering from severe stomach pain, but I am confident that my heroic husband will be able to gradually return to good health thanks to the medical care he's receiving and his own inner strength,” she added.
“We pray that this may be the beginning of redemption. That we may know days of peace, of true unity, of unconditional love, of comfort. That all the hostages will recover quickly, and for those who, tragically, are no longer among the living, may God send consolation to their families,” said Avi Ohana, father of Yosef-Chaim Ohana.
Until the last hostage is back
The statements also included details about the first encounters between released hostages and their loved ones, with Bohbot’s wife describing the hug between Elkana and his father, “Yesterday, I witnessed both my husband and our son Reem being reborn. The embrace between them, the moment when Elkana, despite being so weak, couldn't restrain himself and lifted Reem up to hold him tight. My child got his father back, and as a mother, I couldn't ask for anything more.”
Iair Horn, himself a former hostage who was released in February, also commented about his reunion with his brother Eitan Horn, saying “about eight months ago, I came home after 498 terrible days in Hamas captivity; 498 days of fear, pain, and a daily struggle to maintain my humanity.”
"About eight months ago, I came home, but the truth is that only today am I truly free. Only now, with my beloved younger brother Eitan finally back with us, is my heart whole again. The first breath after nearly two years of suffocation.”
The hostage families also insisted that the mission was still ongoing and that the rest of the 20 slain hostages must return home as part of the ceasefire deal.
“There are still 24 hostages held by Hamas whose families long for closure. They deserve to be honored and given a proper burial. I call on the international community to keep pressuring Hamas. We will not stop our struggle as families until all the remaining 24 hostages are home,” added Miran-Lavi.
Liran Berman, sibling of captivity survivors Gali and Ziv Berman, also commented, “But even in this moment of joy, we cannot forget those still waiting. Families who are still living this nightmare, soldiers who gave everything to make this day possible, and the 24 hostages who have not yet come home. Gali and Ziv are home. Now we must bring everyone home.”
Miran-Lavi and Berman's statements were made before Hamas terrorists handed over the remains of four more hostages on Tuesday night.
The statements also included profound gratitude to the people of Israel who stood by them, to US President Donald Trump and special envoy Steve Witkoff, “whose efforts made their loved ones' return possible,” and to the Hostage Families Forum.