From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 13, 2025
Hostage’s father: ‘I brought the four species so he can say a blessing’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleRossella Tercatin is The Times of Israel's archaeology and religions reporter.
Avi Ohana, father of hostage Yosef Haim Ohana, tells Channel 13 that he has brought the four species — the palm frond, citron, myrtle and bundles of willow branches used in prayer on the festival of Sukkot — so that his son can recite a blessing over them upon being released from Hamas captivity today.
“I brought the four species here so he can say a blessing over them,” Ohana says while waiting at the Re’im base to meet his son. Sukkot, a weeklong holiday, ends at sunset today.
“We are in a dream,” he adds.
Ohana is not among the first seven hostages to have already been released to the hands of the Red Cross. He is among the 13 living hostages to be released later today.
The Times of Israel Community.