U.S. Jewish organizations issued statements expressing gratitude for the liberated living hostages on Monday morning, while also noting that Hamas has yet to return the remains of people whom it murdered and that more work remains to ensure that the terror group can never again repeat an attack like Oct. 7.
The American Jewish Committee stated that “after 738 days, we are overjoyed watching the reunions of the 20 surviving hostages with their loved ones, and our hearts are with the families of the deceased hostages who await their return.”
“Until they are all home, none of us will be whole,” the AJC said. “While we are relieved and grateful to have finally reached this point, the work does not end once all the hostages return.”
“As we welcome home the surviving hostages and mourn with the families of deceased hostages as they wait to bury their loved ones, we must ensure full rehabilitation for the living and the continued support for all the families who have endured extensive trauma and grief,” the AJC said.
Robert Spitzer and Daniel S. Mariaschin, president and CEO respectively of B’nai B’rith International, stated that the nonprofit “welcomes with profound relief and emotion the long-awaited return of 20 living hostages kidnapped and held by Hamas for two agonizing years.”
“Their freedom is a moment of immense joy mixed with deep sorrow—joy for the hostages for surviving to return home and joy for the families finally reunited. Yet profound sorrow for the trauma endured by those who suffered so greatly in captivity and by the loved ones of those who will never return,” the two leaders said. “We offer our deepest condolences to the families of those hostages killed by Hamas, and we await the return of the 28 remains of those killed by Hamas and held these last two years.”
“For two long years, these human beings were held in horrific conditions, often with little outcry from the international community,” the B’nai B’rith leaders said. “Their courage and endurance are a testament to the human spirit and to the unbreakable resilience of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”
They added that “as we welcome this moment of light after so much darkness, we remain deeply concerned about Hamas’s commitment to abide by the full terms of a peace agreement.”
“History has shown that Hamas’s words too often mask continued violence and deception,” they said. “The world must not turn away now. It must hold Hamas fully accountable, for the physical and mental condition of the freed hostages and for the two years of war unleashed by Hamas after its barbaric attack against Israel.”
“The international community must ensure that peace is more than just a promise on paper,” they added. “We also express our gratitude to President Donald Trump and all of the negotiators for getting us to this moment. We remain committed to working for a future where no family must again endure such pain.”
The Jewish Federations of North America stated that “through 18 major Jewish holidays and 105 Shabbat dinners, Jewish families in Israel and around the world had empty chairs at our tables, yellow ribbons on our lapels and fractures in our hearts.”
“Today, we rejoice as the 20 surviving hostages come home to their loved ones and finally fill the empty chairs at our tables and begin mending our broken hearts,” the organization stated. “We also mourn the indelible loss of 28 people who faced down Hamas with heroism and bravery but did not survive captivity, whose bodies are expected to return home in the coming hours and days.”
JFNA also recognized “the enormous sacrifice and service of Israel’s soldiers and their families, who put their time, their economic well-being, their bodies and their lives on the line to protect Israel during this horrific period.”
In a statement that quoted extensively from transliterated and translated Hebrew Jewish prayers, the Orthodox Union stated that “we stand at a juncture that can, with God’s help, lead to peace and security for Israel” and that “today, we have no political statements. Only words of gratitude and prayer to the Almighty.”
The OU said that its gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump “knows no bounds” and expressed it “in praying that God continues to guide his global leadership.” It added that it prays “that God bless and protect the State of Israel and guide Prime Minister Netanyahu and the leaders of the State of Israel with His light and truth” and for the healing of the living hostages, comfort for the families of the murdered ones and strength for Israeli soldiers.
