Relatives and friends of Alexandre Sasha Troufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Iair Horn gathered across Israel to watch their long-awaited release, overwhelmed with a mix of joy, apprehension, and concern: 'We won't breathe easy until we see them with our own eyes.'
In the town of Givot Bar in the Negev, loved ones of Sagui Dekel-Chen came together on Saturday morning to watch their friend walk free from Hamas captivity, alongside two others who were kidnapped from Nir Oz: Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn.
"Finally on Israeli soil"
Lotus Lahav, Sagui Dekel-Chen's neighbor from the kibbutz, described the emotions: "It's an incredibly moving day. We're waiting to see them walking, healthy, and we won't breathe easy until we see them ourselves. Even today, we don't forget that there are still many hostages in captivity, from the Nir Oz community and beyond."
Sagui's friends in Givot Bar sat tightly packed in the living room, just as hundreds of others did across the country. Their eyes were fixed on the screen, their hearts pounding in unison. No one dared to smile yet, it was too soon for celebration.
Then, the moment they had all been waiting for arrived. Shouts erupted uncontrollably, people jumped to their feet, embracing one another as warm tears streamed down their faces. Joy filled the room, spilling out into the street, to the neighbors, and to everyone watching the broadcast. On the other side of the screen, Sagui's family clapped. Here, everyone instinctively joined in.
"He looks good, doesn't he?" someone asked in a trembling voice. "He's lost weight," another responded, and suddenly, everyone was analyzing those first moments of freedom. "Still so handsome, even in a tracksuit," his wife, Avital, concluded with a shaky yet excited voice.
Then, a calm voice from the television declared: "They are no longer hostages. They are free."
Sagui Dekel-Chen's family released a statement: "Our Sagui is home. A friend, a son, a partner, and most importantly, a father, he is back. For 498 days, nearly 500, he was so far away, and now, at last, he is back on Israeli soil, with us. In the coming hours, he will begin the rehabilitation process, reunite with his daughters, Gali and Bar, and meet his youngest daughter, Shachar, for the first time, she was born while he was in captivity. Our hearts ache for all that he missed, but now he is here, unlike so many others."
They added: "It is crucial to remember that many families are still waiting for their loved ones, many children are still waiting for their fathers. We did everything we could, on every front, to reach this moment, and we will continue to fight until the last hostage is brought home, that is our duty. Thank you to everyone who supported, acted, and helped. Thank you to the people of Israel and all those involved in the struggle to bring Sagui and the other hostages back."
"Tonight, we reopen the Kibbutz pub"
Speaking about Iair Horn, who was freed while his brother remains in captivity, Lotus Lahav shared: "He's the life of the party, the one in charge of the kibbutz pub, the funniest person I know, the mastermind behind the Purim parties, always with his thick Argentine accent. We missed him at so many events and holidays in the kibbutz during their captivity. His absence was felt. We're so happy to have him back. Tonight, we're reopening the kibbutz pub."
Iair Horn's family released a statement: "After 498 days, Iair is finally home. Now, we can breathe, just a little. Our Iair is back after surviving hell and horror in Gaza. Now, we must bring back Eitan, so our family can truly breathe again."
They continued: "We are grateful to the IDF soldiers and security forces who risk their lives, and we send our condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones for all of us. You will forever be in our hearts. We will not stop until Eitan and every last hostage is brought home."
Sasha's friends await his return at Kfar Maccabiah
Friends of Sasha Troufanov, who was also released today, gathered at Kfar Maccabiah in anticipation of his return.
Shortly after Sasha crossed into Israel, his family shared: "On October 7, 2023, he was brutally kidnapped from his home and shot in both legs." They added, "Seeing him today gives us strength and immense hope for the long road of recovery ahead. This is a moment of great relief for us, for his friends, and for everyone who held on to hope and prayed for his return."
However, the family noted that they were unsure if Sasha was aware that his father, Vitaly, was murdered in the October 7 massacre. "The knowledge, or lack of it, will completely change the nature of his return, from a day of great joy to a day of profound mourning for his beloved father," they said.
