Freed Israeli hostages celebrate Passover at home, urge release of remaining 59 captives in Gaza

Former Israeli hostages marked the beginning of the Passover holiday with a mix of relief and sorrow, celebrating their freedom while mourning the continued captivity of 59 hostages still held by the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza.

Romi Gonen, who was freed after 471 days in Hamas captivity, reflected on these mixed emotions.

“My first holiday back home. A holiday that doesn’t really feel like one. My head is here, but my heart is there. I want to celebrate, but the difficulty is overwhelming. Please – leave an empty chair. Wear a hostage pin, a sticker. We must not forget them,” she wrote in a post on Instagram, adding a red heart and a hostage-pin emoji.

Many families across Israel left empty chairs at their holiday tables to symbolize those still held in Gaza, echoing a national call to keep the hostages in public consciousness during this season of freedom.

Avital Dekel-Chen, whose husband Sagui Dekel-Chen was released in February after nearly 500 days in Hamas captivity, reflected on the profound toll of the past year in a personal Instagram post.

“Someone asked what I missed most during the holiday. Honestly? The car rides with Sagui during Passover. We would always visit my family – get ready, dress in white, put on music and drive. That hour in the car was the best part of the holiday – quiet, conversations and a feeling of freedom,” she wrote.

Avital shared the emotional rollercoaster journey during the past year.

“Last year, when Sagui wasn’t with me, I couldn’t bring myself to drive alone with the girls. It was so hard I decided to host everyone instead – 30 people in my house – just so I wouldn’t have to make the trip by myself. Shahar was four months old. I dressed the girls in white, but Shahar and I ‘rebelled’ and wore green. A year has passed. Today I put on white again, got in the car, turned on music – and Sagui is beside me. I hope this holiday brings good news and that all families can once again enjoy their journey to their loved ones,” she reflected.

Former hostage Ohad Ben Ami shared his thoughts on the meaning of freedom in a video message posted on social media.

“On my way to the holiday dinner, I wonder – what is freedom? ‘Liberty, release, the status of a free person. From slavery to freedom.’ Just like that. Freedom belongs to every single one of us,” he stated, likely referring to the remaining 59 hostages (living and deceased) in Gaza.

Freed hostage Karina Ariev also addressed the 59 hostages still held by Hamas in an Instagram message.

“Passover is upon us, the holiday of freedom is just around the corner, spring is beginning to bloom – and 59 hostages are still in Hamas captivity,” Ariev said. “For the second time, they are experiencing none of this – only hunger, despair, pain, abuse and decline,” she added.

On Saturday, Hamas released a propaganda video featuring American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who remains in captivity in Gaza. In the video, a visibly angry Alexander questions why he is still being held. His family responded to the footage, expressing deep concern for his well-being and renewing their call for his immediate release.

“As we begin our holiday evening in the U.S., the family in Israel is preparing for Shabbat around the Seder table. Our Edan, a lone soldier who immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the Golani Brigade to protect it and its citizens, is still held captive by Hamas. So as you sit down to mark Passover, remember that this is not truly a Festival of Freedom as long as Edan and the other 58 hostages are not yet home,” the family stated.