Reports emerge of testimonies from Israeli hostages freed Saturday from Hamas captivity

Emmanuel Macronfrench President

Ofer Kalderon is free! We share the immense relief and joy of his loved ones after 483 days of unimaginable hell. Our thoughts are with Ohad Yahalomi, still in the hands of Hamas, and with his family. France is doing everything it can to secure his release without delay."

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Saturday

Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister

Welcome home, Yarden Bibs, Ofer Calderon and Keith Siegel. Together with all the citizens of Israel and many around the world, my wife and I embrace you upon your return home. Our thoughts are now with Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, and all of our abductees. We will continue to work to bring them home. The people of Israel are alive."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday

Karoline Leavittwhite House press secretary

Today, Americans celebrate the return of American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel and two Israelis who were held captive by Hamas terrorists since October 7, 2023. President Trump and his Administration have worked diligently to secure their release and are committed to freeing all remaining hostages."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement issued Saturday

We continue with hope and the call for the return of Shiri, the children, and all the hostages. Please continue to make their voices heard and emphasize the urgency of their return,

the family said on Saturday

A quarter of our heart has returned to us after 15 long months. There are no words to describe the relief of holding Yarden in our hands, embracing him, and hearing his voice,

the Bibas family said in statement

We are sorry it took so long, Ofer,

said Eyal Kalderon

A number of victims are still under the rubble and on the roads, and ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them,

it said

Each one deserves the time to rehabilitate and rebuild their lives, and every one of the hostages deserves to come home soon. We will not rest nor be silent until we return all our sisters and brothers from the hell of captivity in Gaza - until the last one,

Herzog said

Erez marked his Bar Mitzvah and read from the Torah just a few months ago - while his father was still held in Gaza,

Herzog said

Yarden Bibas, Ofer Kalderon and Keith Siegel are finally home. How we have worried, and awaited their return."

Sharing a post on X, Herzog wrote

At this moment, our father is stepping on Israeli soil and we are experiencing indescribable emotions. Finally, we can breathe after 484 long, frightening nights filled with tremendous worry for our father. We want to thank the Israeli and United States governments for executing this blessed deal - one that focuses on human life and Jewish and Israeli values,

the family of Siegel said in a statement

Our father was brutally kidnapped from this land, and today he returns to us. As citizens, we must ensure that all hostages return to their families for rehabilitation and that those murdered receive proper burial in this land,

the statement added

Yarden's reunion with his family is simply heartbreaking. We all remain deeply concerned for the fate of our beloved Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas - as an entire nation we hold them in our hearts. The people of Israel stand by Yarden and the whole family, with great concern and in heartfelt prayer."

He added

Keith's heroic wife Aviva, was also returned in the first exchange to their four children and five grandchildren. Since then, we have seen Aviva speak out in countless meetings around the world, crying out and working unwaveringly for Keith's return."

He added

There is no military victory over Hamas, that should be clear to all. The are no winners in this war. We have all lost,

Bashkin added

Gershon Baskinthe former israeli hostage negotiator

Hamas got the message from Israel through Qatar to avoid the chaos we witnessed last Thursday,

Gershon Baskin, a veteran Israeli negotiator who is often in touch with Palestinian colleagues, said in a statement

Aviva Pazwife

Here he is, here he is, Keith!”

His wife Aviva, watching a feed of him being freed in Gaza, exclaimed ... as she embraced their son Shai

The exit of 50 patients and wounded will continue daily using the same mechanism and under the supervision of the World Health Organization,

he added

Finally, after 484 long, terrifying days and nights, full of immense worry for our father, we can breathe again,

his family said in a statement released today by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Amouri faced solitary confinement for years, and was interrogated more than once, in addition to systematic abuse,

it said