Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 22, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Freed hostage Eliya Cohen to public: ‘Every prayer was felt in my heart and soul, strengthened me’
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Freed hostage Eliya Cohen reunites with family members at the Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, February 22, 2025. (Haim Zach/GPO)
Released hostage Eliya Cohen publishes his first message on social media, just hours after returning from 505 days of captivity in Gaza.
In an Instagram story, Cohen praises and mourns all those killed in Hamas’s October 7, 2023, onslaught, as well as “every soldier who gave their lives to advance my return home.”
He thanks every person who fought for his return: “Every prayer of yours was felt in my heart and soul and strengthened me every moment anew.”
He says, “We mustn’t for a moment forget our brothers who have been left behind, and I will soon join you in the struggle for them.
“I hope I will manage to soon meet everyone and meet you all,” he concludes.
“I love you.”
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