Touching photos and video from Saturday show Sagui Dekel-Chen reuniting with his wife after nearly 500 days apart, following his release from Hamas captivity.

The footage, taken at an Israeli reception point, depicts the emotional embrace between the 36-year-old and Avital Dekel-Chen. Their reunion also included a warm welcome from his parents. Their third daughter was born two months after he was taken captive during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack.

“Our hearts ache for everything he missed, but now he’s here, unlike many others,” the family stated to the Associated Press.

The release, like previous exchanges, was highly structured. Captives were directed to walk onto a stage, address a crowd in Khan Younis, Gaza, in front of numerous armed, masked Hamas fighters. Palestinian flags and militant group banners decorated the stage.

 

The AP noted that Chen appeared to be limping as he left the stage.

Also freed were Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29, an Israeli-Russian citizen, and Iair Horn, 46, an Israeli-Argentine citizen. All three were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered the conflict.

 

In exchange for the hostages, Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 36 serving life sentences for deadly attacks. The first released prisoners arrived in Beitunia, West Bank, to a jubilant welcome from family and supporters.

Some appeared unwell, and four required immediate medical attention according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

This marks the sixth prisoner exchange since the January 19 ceasefire. Prior to Saturday, 21 hostages and over 730 Palestinian prisoners had been released in the first phase of the truce.

’ Landon Mion and