Aviva and Keith Siegel, freed hostages from Hamas, recount their harrowing experiences in Gaza and thank first lady Melania Trump for her efforts to secure their release.

The statement, published in a public letter directed towards Hirsch, criticized his treatment of the families and demanded that he “remain silent forever.”

For over two years, it was one of the most powerful symbols at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square: a digital stopwatch, counting every minute, hour, and day since 251 Israelis were abducted by Hamas on October 7,

The agency incorrectly labeled some taxpayers as hostages when providing tax relief, or failed to remove a special indicator after their release from captivity.

In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch described the complexity of Israeli hostage rescue operations, his involvement in negotiations, and Hamas terror tactics.

Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area. (JTA) — After 843 days, Jews around the world put down their masking tape, yellow ribbons and pins: The last Israeli hostage in Gaza was home.