Hostage families express relief and joy at release of three men

Relatives of the three Israeli hostages released on Saturday reacted with relief and joy, Israeli media reported.

Relatives of Sagui Dekel-Chen rejoiced at the sight of the 36-year-old man, saying he would now see his two daughters again and his youngest daughter for the first time.

Dekel-Chen’s third child was born more than a year ago while he was held hostage in the Gaza Strip. “Our hearts hurt mainly because of what he has missed,” the family said in a statement issued by a forum of the relatives of the hostages.

Many children are still awaiting the return of their fathers taken hostage on October 7, 2023.

Images published on Israeli media showed relief on the faces of the relatives of Iair Horn, who had lost half his weight while held hostage, according to relatives.

The freed men did not appear as gaunt as those released last week.

“Our Iair is home after surviving hell in Gaza,” his family said. They are still awaiting the return of his brother.

The relatives of Sasha Troufanov also expressed relief at the release of the 29-year-old man. “We are overwhelmed by emotions and gratitude for Sasha’s return home after 498 long and agonizing days in captivity,” they said.

Troufanov is reported by the forum to have been shot in both legs when he was abducted. His relatives do not know whether he is aware that his father died during the massacre.