US President Donald Trump received a delegation of former hostages at the White House on Thursday, who were freed following the ceasefire agreement in Gaza that the president negotiated last month.
“You are no longer hostages, today you are heroes,” Trump told the former hostages and their families in a brief statement filmed and released by the White House.
The Israeli delegation included 26 former hostages, among them 17 of the 20 living captives who regained their freedom thanks to the agreement in place since October. Matan Angrest was in that group, and Trump made special mention of him.
“Because of his service in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), Matan was subjected to brutal beatings, even losing consciousness at times. Alone and under special custody, he suffered hell,” Trump said.
He added: “Matan never broke, and today he is a living testament to the strength, heart, and faith of the Jewish people. I tell you, you are a great inspiration to us all.”
In his message, Trump also stated: “It’s an honor to meet you all. I already know some of you. I know some of the previous hostages we rescued very well. We love you all, and our country loves you all. You are incredible people.”
During the meeting, the American president presented each member of the delegation with a special presidential coin. Some former hostages brought gifts for the president. Twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman brought a mezuzah that survived the fire set by Hamas at their home in Kfar Aza during the October 7, 2023 attack that began the Gaza war.
The twins retrieved the mezuzah during their first return to Kfar Aza after their release on October 13. Before the meeting at the White House, the former hostages reported that they intended to personally thank Trump for their release and ask him to continue pressuring Hamas for the release of the bodies of three deceased hostages still in Gaza.
Thursday's reception was the third time Trump hosted delegations of former hostages whose freedom he facilitated in two deals this year, the first of which was finalized in January, while he was president-elect.
Trump had campaigned on a promise to release the hostages and end the war in Gaza. The January 2025 agreement collapsed after an initial six-week phase, leading to another eight months of conflict before the October ceasefire.
The Israeli delegation arrived in the United States on Tuesday and on Wednesday was received by a bipartisan group of congressmen at the Capitol.
