Ex-hostage twins attend first Maccabi Tel Aviv game since release

Gal and Ziv Berman, who endured 772 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza, arrived on Sunday night at Bloomfield Stadium for a soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. and Beitar Jerusalem F.C., the first since before their abduction.

The twin brothers, devoted fans of Maccabi, got on the pitch before kickoff, to the cheers of thousands of fans from both teams.

The announcer welcomed the duo, saying, “It’s finally happening. How long we’ve waited for you,” according to Hebrew-language outlet Ynet.

A banner reading “So good to have you back” could be seen at the stadium, the report added.

The Bermans were freed by Hamas on Oct. 13 as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Following their release, a military helicopter that transported them to the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel also passed over Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, where a large banner honoring their return was displayed.

“We’re standing here on the grass to say thank you for everything you’ve been to us over these two years,” the twins said at their reception at Bloomfield, according to Hebrew-language outlet Sport5.

“You were there for our family and embraced us. You were an anchor for us, giving endlessly. You proved that Maccabi is a way of life. You also brought us two championships. We knew you kept on fighting, just like our family. We won’t forget the friends in the stands who are no longer with us, and the four fallen hostages who have not been returned for burial,” they continued.

“An hour ago we were informed that [IDF] Lt. Hadar Goldin has been brought back to Israel and will finally receive a proper burial. We’re sending the family a huge hug from here. We want to thank the soldiers. Am Yisrael Chai!”

Goldin was killed in Gaza in 2014, and his body was held by Hamas until its release on Sunday.

Maccabi Tel Aviv awarded the brothers with club shirts designed especially for them, with signatures from all the team’s players, according to Ynet.

The match itself ended in a stinging 6:2 defeat for Maccabi. Rom Braslavski, another recently freed hostage, and is a devoted fan of Beitar Jerusalem, posted on social media: “6:2 too bad for Gali and Ziv.”