American-Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen embraced his spouse after being aside from her for almost 500 days in heartwarming pictures and video taken Saturday following his launch by Hamas.
The scenes captured at a reception level in Israel present the 36-year-old hugging and kissing Avital Dekel-Chen, who gave start to their third daughter two months after he was seized by the Palestinian terrorist group throughout their Oct. 7, 2023, assault on the nation. Dekel-Chen’s mother and father are additionally seen welcoming him dwelling.
“Our hearts ache for all the pieces he missed, however now he’s right here, not like many others,” his household stated in a press release to the Related Press.
As with earlier exchanges, Saturday’s hostage launch was closely choreographed, with the captives made to stroll onto a stage and communicate into microphones earlier than a crowd in Khan Younis within the Gaza Strip. Dozens of masked, armed Hamas fighters lined up close to the stage, which was adorned with Palestinian flags and banners of militant factions.
Sagui Dekel-Chen is seen embracing his spouse Avital Dekel-Chen at a reception level in Israel on Saturday, Feb. 15, following his launch by Hamas. (IDF)
Chen gave the impression to be limping as he descended the stage throughout the hostage launch, the AP reported.
The opposite hostages launched had been Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29, and Iair Horn, 46. Troufanov has Israeli and Russian citizenship, whereas Horn is a twin citizen of Israel and Argentina.
The three had been kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz within the terror group’s Oct. 7, 2023, assault towards Israel that sparked the conflict in Gaza.
Sagui Dekel-Chen’s mom and father additionally welcomed him dwelling to Israel on Saturday, Feb. 15. (IDF)
In return for the hostages’ launch, Israel started releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, together with 36 serving life sentences for lethal assaults. A bus carrying the primary launched prisoners arrived within the West Financial institution city of Beitunia and was greeted by a cheering crowd of relations and supporters.
Some appeared gaunt, and the Palestinian Pink Crescent emergency service stated 4 had been instantly taken for medical remedy.
Israeli hostages Iair Horn, 46, left, Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, middle left, and Alexander Troufanov, 29, proper, are escorted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters as they’re handed over to the Pink Cross in Khan Younis within the Gaza Strip on Saturday, Feb. 15. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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It’s the sixth swap because the ceasefire took impact on Jan. 19. Earlier than Saturday, 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners had been freed throughout the first part of the truce.
Fox Information’ Landon Mion and the Related Press contributed to this report.