Released from Hamas captivity, Israeli grandmother Yaffa Adar hailed as symbol of Zionist resilience

The Jewish state welcomed the release of 85-year-old Israeli hostage Yaffa Adar on Friday, along with 23 other Israeli women and children and foreign workers who were held hostage in Gaza by the Hamas terror organization.

Adar who hails from Kibbutz Nir Oz, adjacent to the Gaza Strip border, has become the symbol of a resilient hero who “embodies Zionism.”

She was recognized in footage on Oct. 7 being kidnapped in a golf cart surrounded by armed Hamas terrorists who abducted her to the Gaza Strip.

Adar's granddaughter Adva, who campaigned in public for her release, praised her grandmother for her resolve amid very difficult weeks in Hamas captivity.

“She’s putting on a brave face, taking charge of the situation and showing her captors a glimpse of the unbreakable resolve we all know her to have,” Adva said.

Due to her advanced age and fragile health, Adar's family feared for her life during her long captivity in Gaza.

The author Iris Boker praised Adar and articulated the sentiments shared by many Israelis since her release on Friday night.

“She is the embodiment of Zionism and Israeli resilience and she will not let any ‘Hamas-nik’ see her break. I’m so happy that she has returned,” Boker wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Yosef Yisrael, a reporter with Israeli Channel 13 news, hailed Adar as a symbol of Jewish and Israeli resilient power.

“Yaffa Adar is home. The sub-humans around her are already lying deep underground, their house has probably been turned into rubble by the army of the State of Israel. That’s Jewish, Israeli power,” Yisrael stated.

Adar has also emerged as a source of inspiration among the families who have been directly affected by the Hamas terror atrocities.

Itan Dahan, whose aunt Bracha bravely fought against Hamas terrorists who were trying to open her safety shelter door on Kibbutz Nirim, said Adar was an Israeli hero in the truest sense of the word.

“Yaffa Adar is a hero of Israel. To be kept for 50 days in the rathole of these human monsters and then to make it back alive is an incredible feat. So much strength,” Dahan wrote on X.

Adar was among 24 hostages - 13 Israelis, 10 Thai citizens and one Filipino national who were released by the terror organization Hamas on Friday after 49 days of captivity. In exchange, Israel released 150 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel.

On Friday, Yoni Asher reunited with his wife Doron and daughters Aviv Asher (2) and Raz Asher (5) who were abducted by Hamas terrorists and their civilian accomplices on Oct. 7 during the surprise invasion and brutal attack.

Yoni expressed gratitude to have his family back home in Israel after almost 50 days of captivity by Hamas.

"Though challenging days still lie ahead, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our sons, who endured great suffering, as well as to the IDF, the Israeli government, and the security cabinet for their dedicated efforts. I extend my thanks to the wonderful people of Israel for their unwavering support," Asher said.

He vowed to help his wife and children recover from the trauma of being held as hostages in Gaza by Hamas.

"My family, Doron, Raz and Aviv have returned home from captivity. I am determined to help my family recover from the trauma and the terrible ordeal we've endured, all for the sake of our children and Doron.”

More Israeli hostages are expected to be released on Saturday as part of a Hamas-Israel hostage-prisoner deal that involves 50 released Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinians terrorists in prison.