Family members of released hostages: We’re overjoyed but waiting for all hostages to return

Noam Avigdori, 12, and Sharon Avigdori , were visiting family in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7. They were abducted and held as hostages in Gaza for 50 days. (Courtesy)
Noam Avigdori, 12, and Sharon Avigdori , were visiting family in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7. They were abducted and held as hostages in Gaza for 50 days. (Courtesy)

Family members of some of the hostages released tonight from Gaza react to their return to Israel with joy and emotion.

Inbal Tzach, the cousin of Adi Shoham — who was released with her two children and her mother, but not her husband — says that “like everyone else we watched our loved ones on their way home. We saw Adi with Nave, Yahal, Shoshan, Noam, and Sharon. Of course we are still waiting for Tal to come home, as well as for everyone else. The struggle has not ended. This is the saddest joy and the happiest sadness, but our family is home. Keep fighting with us.”

Sharon Avigdori and her daughter, Noam, who were also released, are Adi’s aunt and cousin.

Zohar Avigdori, Sharon’s sister-in-law, says that the family is “very excited, our legs are shaking and we are impatiently waiting to hug our loved ones, Noam and Sharon. We don’t forget for a moment that these are the same legs that will continue the journey to sustain us in the long journey that is still ahead of us — until the safe return of all the hostages.”

Mirit Regev, the mother of Maya Regev, 21, who was released without her brother, Itai, 18, says that “I am excited and happy that Maya is on her way to us. Along with that, my heart is split in two because my son Itai is still in Gaza in Hamas captivity. I am going to hug Maya so, so hard, but we will not stop until Itai and all the hostages come home.”

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