Washington DC – Hamas today released six hostages: Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed who have been held by Hamas for over a decade and Tal Shoham, Omer Shem-Tov, Omer Wenkert and Eliya Cohen who were taken hostage on October 7. Following the release, J Street Vice President and Chief of Staff Adina Vogel Ayalon issued the following statement:
“We are overwhelmed with relief to see six more hostages return home, especially following a week of terrible heartbreak and pain. We continue to grieve with the Bibas family as Shiri was finally returned home and can now be buried together with her children.
Seeing the reunion of six families today, two of whom have been in anguish for over a decade, underscores that we must do everything to ensure this ceasefire holds – to ensure we see more hostages released under Phase II and that aid keeps flowing into Gaza and families are kept out of harm’s way.
The United States and its partners must press each side to hammer out a plan for post-war governance in Gaza that sidelines Hamas, sets the foundations for reconstruction and locks in a permanent ceasefire.
In the meantime, we must press both sides to live up to their commitments: Hamas must end its gruesome release spectacles. Living hostages must be treated with dignity and respect. Grieving families must be allowed to lay deceased loved ones to rest. Aid must flood into Gaza unimpeded. Talk of annexation and mass displacement must end.
At the cusp of the second phase, we cannot allow this moment to slip away. President Trump and the international community must reinforce their commitment to advancing the ceasefire deal, securing the hostages’ release, and preventing further devastation.”
Read More from the J Street Policy Center: Getting to Phase II: A Gaza Ceasefire Strategy