American-Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen embraces wife after nearly 500 days

American-Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen had an emotional reunion with his wife Avital Dekel-Chen after being separated for nearly 500 days. The heartwarming photos and video captured the moment when the 36-year-old embraced his wife, who had given birth to their third daughter two months after he was captured by Hamas during their attack on Israel in October 2023. Dekel-Chen’s parents were also there to welcome him home.

The scenes at the reception point in Israel showed the couple hugging and kissing, with tears of joy and relief evident on their faces. Despite the time apart, the family expressed gratitude that Dekel-Chen was finally back home, unlike many others who are still held captive.

The release of Dekel-Chen and two other hostages, Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov and Iair Horn, was part of a carefully orchestrated exchange with Hamas. The hostages were made to walk onto a stage and speak into microphones before a crowd in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. Dozens of masked, armed Hamas fighters were present, creating a tense atmosphere during the handover.

Dekel-Chen appeared to be limping as he descended the stage, a visible reminder of the ordeal he had endured during his captivity. The other hostages, Troufanov and Horn, were also visibly relieved to be free after being abducted during the same attack on Israel in October 2023.

In return for the hostages’ release, Israel began releasing 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 36 serving life sentences for deadly attacks. The first released prisoners arrived in the West Bank town of Beitunia to a warm welcome from relatives and supporters. Some of the prisoners required immediate medical treatment due to their physical condition after being in captivity.

This was the sixth swap since the ceasefire took effect in January 2025, with a total of 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners being freed in the first phase of the truce. The ongoing exchanges are part of efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The reunion between Sagui Dekel-Chen and his family serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of diplomacy in resolving disputes. The images of their embrace and tears of joy are a poignant reminder of the power of love and resilience in the face of adversity.

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