From the Liveblog of
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Streets erupt in celebration as Elkana Bohbot returns home from captivity
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Released hostage Elkana Bohbot returns home to Mevasseret Zion outside Jerusalem, to streets filled with neighbors carrying Israeli flags and music blasting.
The crowd screams and cheers for Bohbot, to the sounds of drums and singing as young men in yarmulkes dance, their arms around one another.
Police officers clear the path for the van carrying the Bohbot family, as people press in on the vehicle in their excitement.
אלקנה בוחבוט חזר הביתה ומברך שהחיינו. pic.twitter.com/kSKoRonrHf
— זירת החדשות (@ZiratNews) October 19, 2025
After Bohbot goes to his apartment, he appears on the balcony and a rabbi speaks, asking Bohbot to recite the Jewish prayer for survival.
Bohbot repeats the blessing after the rabbi, tearing up, his mother and wife next to him, as a friend holds him up. The crowd cheers in response and cars beep, as Bohbot wipes his eyes dry.
In another clip, he is seen entering his home to raucous celebrations.
The Times of Israel Community.