At weekly vigil, son of freed hostage says father was uplifted by rallies

Yair Mozes, son of released hostage Gadi Mozes, appears with a cleanshaven face and a wide smile at the weekly Tel Aviv Hostages Square rally.

The younger Mozes had sworn to not shave until his father was returned, and was seen embracing his newly freed dad Thursday while sporting a wild, bushy beard.

“We always knew he was a strong person and he’s even stronger than we could have imagined,” says Mozes of his 80-year-old father. “A man of the earth, who raised us on that love, he helped establish the kibbutz. He is the person who said he will do everything he can to rebuild Nir Oz. These are the values we were raised on.”

Mozes thanks all of Israel for their support.

“My father said he saw the protests and it strengthened him when he was down,” says Mozes, who also thanks the IDF and security forces, as well as the government and negotiators, the German government, the Hostages Forum, and the Jewish communities worldwide. Gadi Mozes holds dual German and Israeli citizenship.

“This is a day that our family, Kibbutz Nir Oz and all our family have been waiting for,” says Mozes. “My heart is lighter and my head and face as well,” he adds, referring to his facial hair vow.

“My father the mensch is home at last,” says Mozes speaking in English.

He calls on US President Donald Trump to help bring about the second stage of the hostage deal.