Omer Shem Tov, Tal Shoham, Eliyah Cohen, Hisham al-Sayed, Avera Mengistu and Omer Wenkert are Home

Throughout the war we have been operating tirelessly to bring all the hostages home; rejoicing over every hostage that comes back from the cruel, inhumane captivity of Hamas. 

Yesterday, as part of these ongoing efforts, Omer Shem Tov (22), Tal Shalom (40), Eliyah (27), Hisham al-Sayed (36), Avera Mengistu (38), and Omer Wenkert (23) have finally returned home, reuniting with their families and communities after 504 days in Hamas’ brutal captivity.

Omer Shem Tov (22)

Omer Shem Tov, was abducted by Hamas terrorists from the Nova Music Festival along with his friends, Maya and Itay Regev, both of whom were released from Hamas captivity in November 2023. Omer, who suffers from celiac disease and asthma celebrated two birthdays in captivity, and yesterday finally reunited with his family, after 504 long days in captivity. 

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Tal Shoham (40) - Israeli-Austrian-Italian citizen

Tal Shoam, was cruelly abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7th along with eight other members of his extended family. Tal was abducted while visiting Be’eri for the holiday of Simchat Torah, with his wife and children. His wife, Adi, and children, Naveh and Yahel, now aged 9 and 4, were released in November 2023. Yesterday, after 16 months, Tal finally reunited with his family.

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Eliyah Cohen (27)

Eliyah Cohen came to the Nova festival with his girlfriend, Ziv Abud, and her nephew Amit Ben-Avida along with his partner Karin Shwarcman, both of whom were later murdered by Hamas terrorists. When the attack on the festival began, they fled to their car and sought to take refuge in a shelter near Kibbutz Re'im. After Hamas terrorists threw hand grenades into their shelter, they took Eliyah and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old American Israeli hostage. Hersh was later killed brutally in the tunnels of Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

To read more about Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s story click below:

A Dark Day

Eliyah’s family received the first sign of life from him last week, after close to 500 days in dark, not knowing the faith of their loved one, with the return of Or Levy, who pictured the horrid conditions in which they were held in captivity, including Eliyah. Yesterday, he finally reunited with his family. 

To read more about Or Levy’s story click below:

Ohad, Eliyahu, and Or are Home

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Hisham-al Sayed (36)

Hisham, known to have a history of mental health issues, crossed into the Gaza strip almost 10 years ago, where he was abducted by Hamas. After close to a decade in the harsh and horrid captivity of Hamas, yesterday he reunited with his family and Bedouin community.

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Avera Mengistu (38)

Avera, an Ethiopian-born Israeli, with a history of mental health struggles, crossed into the Gaza Strip over 10 years ago, where he was then abducted by Hamas terrorists at the age of 28. 10 years later, surviving inhumane and brutal captivity, he returned to the arms of his family. 

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Omer Wenkert (23)

Omer, and his close friend Kim, went to the Nova Music Festival to dance and celebrate. When Hamas terrorists infiltrated the festival, they murdered Kim, and abducted Omer. His family discovered he was abducted from a video proudly posted by Hamas on Telegram. Omer, who suffers from an autoimmune disease,yesterday he reunited with his family and started his journey of recovery.

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These stories show a glimpse into Hamas’ terror. Abducting the mentally ill, abducting young people who came to dance and celebrate life, keeping hostage those who need constant medical treatment, all so they could free terrorists with blood on their hands. This is true cruelty, this is terror. 

The return of 6 of our hostages yesterday is a sight for sore eyes, but we mustn't forget about the rest. 63 hostages remain in captivity, 63 of them must be returned home. Our mission will not be complete until every single hostage is home.

Until they’re all back.

LTC Nadav Shoshani