Overview
- Seventeen Israelis who were held by Hamas met the president at the White House about a month after their release and were honored with presidential challenge coins.
- Trump told the group, "You’re not a hostage anymore, today you’re heroes," and praised their resilience in remarks at the State Dining Room.
- Twins Gali and Ziv Berman gave Trump a mezuzah salvaged from their burned home in Kfar Aza, along with a letter expressing gratitude for actions that aided their release.
- Organizers and survivors emphasized that the mission continues, noting that the remains of three hostages have yet to be returned from Gaza.
- The visit followed a deal credited to the Trump administration that freed the last living hostages, and participants also met senior U.S. officials, including Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.