Released Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot speaks to wellwishers from balcony upon return home

(19 Oct 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mevaseret Zion, Israel - 19 October 2025
++MIX OF DUSK AND NIGHT SHOTS++
1. Various of released hostage Elkana Bohbot appearing on balcony to see crowd after returning home, weeping and being embraced
2. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Elkana Bohbot, released hostage:
"Thank you. The victorious people are not worried of a long path"
3. Various of Bohbot in vehicle arriving with his family
4. Various of crowd celebrating
5. Various of crowd holding Israeli flags awaiting arrival of Elkana Bohbot
6. Banner depicting Elkana Bohbot on roundabout
7. Decorations of small houses and ribbons in tree
STORYLINE:
Released hostage Elkana Bohbot appeared on a balcony weeping and being embraced on Sunday as he returned home to the eruption of a crowd of supporters and friends in Mevaseret Zion, Israel.

A party was organized to celebrate his return, with crowds including children gathering for hours ahead of his arrival.

Bohbot, 36, was kidnapped from the Nova music festival.

In the past year, Hamas has published multiple videos of him, filmed under duress, including one where he has a fake telephone conversation with his wife, Rivka; their son, Reem; his mother and his brother — pleading with them to help him get out of Gaza.

His son made binoculars in kindergarten which he often used to go out and “look for his father,” according to Bohbot’s mother, Ruhama.

Elkana Bohbot told his family he suffers from pain all over his body, especially his back, feet and stomach due to force-feeding, according to Israeli television’s Channel 12.

“Ahead of his release, he received food in large portions so he will look a bit better for the world,” Elkana’s wife, told reporters Tuesday from the hospital.

His return home came as the fragile ceasefire in Gaza faced its first major test on Sunday as an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory is halted “until further notice” after a Hamas ceasefire violation, and Israeli forces launched a wave of strikes.

Israel also identified the remains of two hostages released by Hamas overnight.

Netanyahu’s office said the bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker from Kibbutz Be’eri.

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