A hostage returns home

After two years in Hamas captivity, hostage survivor Avinatan Or was released yesterday from Beilinson Hospital and returned home to his community of Shiloh in Israel’s Binyamin region.

At the entrance to the Binyamin Regional Council, dozens of motorcyclists carrying Israeli flags welcomed him, forming an impressive convoy of honour on his way back to Shiloh.

Thousands of Binyamin residents, dressed in blue and white and waving Israeli flags, lined the roundabouts and intersections along his route home.

Deeply moved by the warm welcome, Avinatan stopped at several points along the way, including at the entrance to Shiloh, where the roundabout had been named after him during his captivity, to thank the many people who came to greet him and had prayed for him for two years.

Later, residents formed a human chain from the entrance roundabout to the community’s main synagogue, where the celebrations and dancing with the Or family continued.

Avitan said: “After such a long time in the tunnels of Gaza, I am finally here, with all of Israel. We came home eight days ago, and since then, we have been overwhelmed by love from every corner of the nation.

I want to thank the IDF soldiers, the true heroes, who made it possible for us to return home.

For two years, I was completely cut off, and now I am slowly hearing stories about the unity and love that filled our people. I pray we can carry this love and unity forward for many years to come, without needing wars to bring it out of us. Our strength is in our unity; only through love will we prevail.”

His mother, Ditza Or, told the crowd: “How good it is to have him home. For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.’ For this boy, we all prayed, cried, hoped, and longed, and the Lord has granted our request. When Avinatan tried to escape, they caught him and tortured him cruelly for a long time, but he remained strong and determined, and here he is, home at last. We wish you, with G-d’s help, to continue to a life of goodness and peace.

I want to thank you all, and especially Governor Yisrael Ganz, who, together with the entire council, stood by us throughout this journey.”