Australian Jewish leaders welcome hostage returns

Australian Jewish leaders have reacted to the release of twenty living Israeli hostages after more than two years in Hamas captivity with profound relief.

The hostages were transferred to the Red Cross before being handed to Israeli military and medical personnel for assessment. Emotional scenes followed in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where thousands gathered to celebrate the long-awaited reunions, including that of Noa Argamani, who was rescued from captivity in June 2024, and her released partner Avinatan Or.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel is set to release 1718 Palestinian prisoners, while 28 bodies of deceased Israeli captives will be returned from Gaza.

The release occurred on the eve of Simchat Torah, two years after the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023 were perpetrated on that same festival.

The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) said in a statement, “Tonight, for the first time since that dark day, we can begin to rejoice once more on Simchat Torah. Not with unbridled happiness, but with gratitude that our hostages have been returned and that the people of Israel can breathe again, and look forward to the future with some hope of peace.