Rejoice, friends! After 736 hellish days in Hamas captivity, Israeli hostages, beneath the low-level fly-over of President Trump aboard Air Force One, have now crossed the border into Israel! They are on home soil for the first time in just over 2 years. Though I certainly have my doubts that a true “peace deal” will materialize, I am eternally grateful that the hostages are home and reuniting with family and friends. This, by the way, was a miraculous feat and our grateful praise should rise to the God of Israel, and Him alone! (His name is Jesus Christ, and we worship Him!)

In typical Hamas fashion, there was a “show of force” at one of the hand-off stations as Hamas military wing members arrived enforce. Hamas’ show of force is meant to intimidate and to perpetuate the propaganda narrative that will not doubt hit the airwaves as something other than a historic victory for Israel.

However, on the other side of the border, the hostages were met by thousands of Israeli citizens lining the streets with flags, a hundred thousand gathered at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv to celebrate their homecoming, and thousands of “Welcome Home” banners, Israeli flags and yellow ribbons waving in their honor. Israel is adorned in messages of love and honor for those returning home.

The first group of 7 have arrived on Israeli soil and the other 13 live hostages from various parts of Gaza will follow. The names/pictures of all 20 are below. So today, let’s rejoice with those families who rejoice, and let’s mourn for the 28 families who will receive their captive loved ones back in body bags.

This is a monumental day for our dear friends in Israel. Please pray for the long road to recovery ahead for those hostages and their families. There will be tough days ahead, but the healing can now begin!

Disclaimer and header photo credit: One of the key sources I’m following as I witness the Israeli hostage release is Behold Israel. The header photo is theirs and much of the factual information shared is from Amir Tsarfati’s telegram channel. (Commentary is my own.)