Emotional Scenes as Israeli Child Hostages Reunited with their Families

There have been emotional scenes as child hostages freed by Hamas on Friday under a temporary truce were reunited with their loved ones.

One video released by the Schneider Children’s Medical Center shows 9-year old Ohad Munder running towards his father Avi Zichri and getting a big hug. He was freed with his grandmother Ruth and mother Keren.

Another video released by the medical center shows Yoni Asher, embracing his wife Doran and two young daughters Aviv and Raz.

Yoni asks his daughters in Hebrew “Did you miss me, yes? Did you think about Daddy? Aviv did you think about Daddy, yes? Did you think nice things about me, yes? What did mummy say about me?”

“We’ve just come here for the doctor to check us and then we’re going home but we’ve put lots of dolls and toys out for you … All the people here have bought you presents, it’s all here.”

Other images from the Schneider Medical Center show former hostages Daniel Aloni and her young daughter Emilia smiling and hugging family members.

Daniel Aloni was among three women who appeared in a hostage video released by Hamas late last month. She came to the Nir Oz kibbutz to visit family and was abducted alongside her daughter. Her sister Sharon Aloni-Cunio and other family members were also kidnapped and remain in Gaza, according to a Nir Oz spokesperson.

Another former hostage, Yafa Adar, was seen in images posted to Facebook by her family in hospital hugging and smiling with a family member.

“She’s here! Beautiful grandma is here!” said Adriana Adar on Facebook Saturday.

Adar is a founder of the Nir Oz kibbutz and is the oldest person to be taken hostage on October 7.

A video of her being taken into Gaza on a golf cart driven by Hamas militants shortly after her abduction was widely shared, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

Adar’s eldest grandson, Tamir, a 38-year-old father-of-two, was also abducted, and is still held hostage, according to a Nir Oz spokesperson.

Another woman freed – Margalit Moses – was seen smiling in an image posted to Facebook by her family.

“Mum is back!” Yair Moses posted on Facebook on Friday.