Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Wednesday night with Tal Shoham, who was released on Feb. 22 from Hamas captivity in Gaza, and his wife, Adi, who was freed along with their two children in the first hostage-ceasefire deal in November 2023.
During the two-hour meeting, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, heard from Tal about the difficulties of their captivity, including brutal psychological warfare by Hamas terrorists.
The prime minister expressed condolences to the Shoham family for the suffering caused by Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, assault, conveyed his appreciation for their struggle while held hostage and expressed regret over the prolonged torment they endured.
“The relentless efforts and activity to free all of the hostages, living and deceased, continue,” said Netanyahu.
On Feb. 23, the prime minister spoke with freed Hamas hostages Sagui Dekel-Chen and Ohad Ben-Ami.
He expressed concern for their well-being and discussed their ongoing process of readjustment and rehabilitation.
The prime minister told the two men and their wives that it had been necessary to apply “great pressure” on “the Hamas monsters” to secure their release.
Dekel-Chen was freed on Feb. 15, while Ben-Ami was released a week earlier.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu declared that Hamas will no longer receive “free lunches,” threatening further consequences if the terrorist group refuses to release hostages.
Hamas is still holding 59 captives in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
