‘You Are Heroes’: President Donald Trump Welcomes Freed Hostages to the White House
A delegation of Israelis who survived captivity in Gaza arrived at the White House on Thursday, marking the most significant US gathering of former hostages since last month’s ceasefire brought them home. The delegation, organized by Israel’s Prisoners and Missing Persons Directorate, included 17 individuals freed under the latest deal and dozens of relatives.
The visit followed a full day of Capitol Hill discussions, during which lawmakers from both parties met with the group as part of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus for the Return of Hostages and Captives. Participants described a rare moment of unity as members of Congress listened to the survivors’ accounts. Rep. Haley Stevens told them, “We will continue to be your allies and your friends forever, we will continue to wear the pin and tell your story.”
Several of the participants—among them Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Matan Angrest, Nimrod Cohen, Bar Kuperstein, Avinatan Or, Ariel, and David Cunio, and twins Gali and Ziv Berman—were freed just weeks ago after two years in captivity. Others, including Keith and Aviva Siegel and Noa Argamani, joined the mission after being released in earlier agreements. In total, 26 former hostages took part in the trip.
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Their arrival at the White House opened with a striking moment. President Donald Trump greeted the delegation by telling them, “You are not hostages, you are heroes,” before presenting each survivor and escort with the Presidential Coin. He singled out survivor Matan Angrest, saying, “Because he was a soldier, Matan was subjected to great violence by his captors, to the point of losing consciousness. He went through a genuine hell… Matan, you are a true inspiration to all of us.”
Earlier in the day, the delegation met with senior U.S. officials, including Envoy Steve Witkoff, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
A symbolic moment came when Gali and Ziv Berman handed the president a mezuzah retrieved from the ruins of their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The gift was delivered with a personal letter thanking him for actions they said were instrumental in bringing them home.
One of the survivors, Omri Miran, recalled the moment he realized his family was alive: “When I saw Lishi on television… I knew I had something to live for.” He said his daughter now calls him “Dad” again, adding, “This is thanks to you.”
The group reached Washington after flying to New York on an Arkia charter plane before continuing by road to the capital.
