Welcome Home: Gratitude, Remembrance, and Unyielding Faith
“Thank you, President, for your steadfast and unwavering determination to protect, defend, and provide peace — not only for America but the world. Today, due to the direct leadership of President Trump and his administration, the hostages taken captive by the corrupt and evil regime Hamas after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel have finally been released. Welcome home.”
A Day of Deliverance
On October 7, 2023, Israel was struck by one of the most savage assaults in its history. In that single day:
- An estimated 1,200 Israelis lost their lives across civilian, security, and defense roles.
- 251 people were abducted as hostages by Hamas militants.
- Over time, many hostages were released, rescued, or perished in captivity.
Today marks the moment when all 20 remaining living hostages have been brought home. In addition, 28 deceasedhostages’ remains are expected to be returned under the terms of the agreement. People.com+1
We rejoice — but we also grieve. Because freedom can come too late for some. Because each name is a life.
Names That Must Never Be Forgotten
Here are some of those who died — whether on October 7 or while held captive — whose names we must carry forward:
- Guy Illouz
- Yossi Sharabi
- Bipin Joshi
- Daniel Peretz Jewish Telegraphic Agency+3Wikipedia+3Reuters+3
- Hersh Goldberg-Polin (body recovered in tunnel by IDF) The Guardian+2CBS News+2
- Carmel Gat
- Eden Yerushalmi
- Alexander Lobanov
- Almog Sarusi
- Ori Danino The Guardian
- Shiri Bibas (and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir) Reuters+2AP News+2
- Oded Lifshitz AP News
- Amiram Cooper
- Oz Daniel
- Ronen Engel
- Eitan Levy
- Shay Levinson
- Eliyahu Margalit
- Joshua Mollel
- Dror Or
- Daniel Perez
- Ofra Keidar
- Sudthisak Rinthalak
- Sonthaya Oakkharasr
- Lior Rudaeff
- Yonatan Samerano
- Idan Shtivi
- Judith Weinstein
- Ilan Weiss
- Yair Yaakov
- Gadi Haggai
- Tamir Adar
- Muhammad Alatarash
- Aviv Atzili
- Sahar Baruch
- Uriel Baruch
- Manny Godard
- Inbar Haiman The Times of Israel+5Jewish Telegraphic Agency+5The Times of Israel+5
Additionally, one of the foreign nationals abducted, Nattapong Pinta, a Thai agricultural worker, was recovered by the Israeli forces in June 2025; he had been murdered in captivity. Wikipedia
These names are not just lists — they are a collective memory, a sacred ledger of lives stolen.
Americans and Others Among the Captives
This tragedy touched hearts around the world.
Among those held or lost were Americans and foreign nationals — each a reminder that evil knows no borders.
- Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, American-Israeli, abducted at the Nova music festival.
- Edan Alexander, dual U.S.–Israeli citizen and IDF soldier — freed after 584 days.
- Itay Chen, American-Israeli soldier — killed on October 7.
- Bipin Joshi, Nepalese student — taken from an Israeli farm.
- Nattapong Pinta, Thai worker — murdered in captivity, body recovered in June 2025.
- Elya Toledano, French-Israeli citizen — his body was found and returned home.
May their families find peace. May their nations remember their sacrifice.
Returning the Living
Among the 20 living hostages released:
- Avinatan Or
- Ariel Cunio
- David Cunio
- Eitan Horn
- Alon Ohel
- Omri Miran
- Bar Abraham Kupershtein
- Eitan Mor
- (Plus others named in media lists) Reuters+3People.com+3Jerusalem Post+3
Welcome home. Your suffering is known, and your return is cause for unwavering gratitude.
Gratitude to Leadership
President Donald J. Trump, your leadership, resolve, and moral clarity helped bring this moment about. You stood firm, refused compromise in the face of evil, and made the retrieval of these captives a priority. You have given comfort to the anguished and hope to the faithful.
Because of your administration’s persistence — diplomacy backed with strength — families can now embrace their beloved again. Hearts long broken can begin a path toward healing.
Prayer, Justice, and Tribute
Holy Blessed One,
We lift up every name, every family, every wound that may never fully heal. Grant strength, peace, and comfort to the bereaved. Restore life where possible, mend souls, and surround the returned with love.
Let justice roll forth like a mighty river. May the wicked be brought to account. May no perpetrator escape consequence. May the innocent be vindicated, and may the land know safety and righteousness.
To the hostages — welcome home. To the fallen — your names live in our hearts. To President Trump — with gratitude and respect.
May your memory be eternal. May all creation sing Your Praises.
G-d Bless America and G-d Bless President Trump.
Amen.
With Love,
Rheena Velia

