Friends of Alon Ohel, the pianist held hostage for two years in Gaza, react to news of his release. Photograph: Amit Elkayam/The New York Times
Tears flowed in Israel on Monday as a two-year dam of pent-up anguish was released in a single day of collective joy and relief.
Typing these words may be a challenge through my own tears. How we have all longed for this day.
That day was Monday, October 13th, 2025, the day all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages were freed from Gaza to be reunited with their families: fathers returning to their children, sons to their mothers, brothers to their siblings.
For now, a ceasefire is in place. Israel’s relentless bombing of Gaza has stopped, aid is finally allowed to flow in and 2,000 Palestinians have been released by Israel.
For so long, every sin
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