'I didn't stop believing': Ex-hostages Omer Wenkert and Eliya Cohen leave hospital

Captivity survivor Eliya Cohen leaves Petah Tikva’s Beilinson Hospital, 10 days after he was released by the Hamas terror group where he was held for 505 days.

The medical center says Cohen has undergone all the necessary examinations, and he will start a home rehabilitation process.

אלי-ה כהן שוחרר מבית החולים בילינסון ויחל בתהליך שיקום יום. מוקדם יותר שוחרר גם פדוי השבי עומר ונקרט, וטל שהם הגיע לפרידה המחלקתית@Nov_reuveny
(צילום: דוברות בילינסון) pic.twitter.com/gasI8nEd0e

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 4, 2025

Omer Wenkert, who was freed on the same day as Cohen, was also discharged from the hospital today and returned to his home in Gedera, where he was welcomed by a cheering crowd of thousands.

Wenkert thanked the crowd and sang a song he said had kept his spirits up while in captivity. He then wrapped himself in an Israeli flag, kissed the mezuzah of his home, and entered his home where he embraced his family and close friends.

“I’ve dreamt about this day for more than 500 days. It has come. I’m happy I didn’t stop believing,” he said, adding that he will join the struggle to release the rest of the hostages, including his good friends Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal.