Last week, eighteen of the twenty recently released hostages were welcomed to a local Tel Aviv mall with the freedom to choose new clothes, shoes, and accessories. All the released hostages came back from the tunnels in Gaza malnourished and significantly underweight. None of their previous clothes fit.
To ensure the hostages’ privacy and freedom of movement, the hostages and their families were brought in to shop after the mall’s normal closing time. All employees handed in their phones and agreed to strict confidentiality. “All workers and anyone present were required to maintain confidentiality,” said someone present during the visit. “The entire visit was kept under wraps to respect their privacy.” Another individual who was present said, “They came from captivity thin and frail. They don’t have clothes, shoes, or even properly fitting underwear. They need their peace now to get back to normal things . . . returning to life.” Back in February, the five female soldiers released from Hamas captivity enjoyed the same outing at the mall under strict confidentiality.
Please pray that the released hostages return to mental and physical well-being as they get the opportunity to make their own choices, live free, and put closures on their horrible ordeal.
Thirteen days after the twenty living hostages were released, five more hostages made the final trip to their respective homes. Segev Kalfon, Bar Kuperstein, Eitan More, Evyatar David, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal received extra treatment at the hospitals resulting from their two years of torture, starvation, and isolation in Gaza. Since many of their families live in distant parts of the country, most stayed close to their hospitals at a hotel in Ramat Gan. A few of the released hostages chose to join their families for a couple days at the hotel after they were discharged from the hospital to help them with their re-entry into society.
Each of these five young men arrived in their home cities (Holon, Dimona, Alfei Menanshe, Kfar Saba, and Kiryat Arba) to crowds of well wishers who lined the streets with balloons and banners. Many sang and danced “Am Israel Chai” (the people of Israel live). Each will continue their rehabilitation through outpatient visits and will continue to receive support according to their needs.
Please pray for the hostages’ complete recovery!
The Israeli CGI Group—who are specialists in business and security intelligence—helped investigate the recent heist at the world-famous Louvre Art Museum in France and even assisted in identifying the suspects. The CEO of the Group, Zvika Nave, said, “We were hired to help solve the heist, identify the robbers, and try to recover the stolen jewelry. We operated on various levels, reaching definitive findings and digital forensic evidence that pointed to several museum employees, one of them from the security company. We transferred them to the relevant authorities which subsequently led to identifying the suspects. We were a dominant factor that pointed to those suspects who were later arrested.”
Recently, the president of Chosen People Ministries—Dr. Mitch Glaser—traveled to Israel to meet with and encourage the staff. One evening, our team in Tel Aviv planned an evening called Psalms of Hope, invited friends and the community, and encouraged everyone to bring a not-yet-believing friend. Everyone felt a very welcoming atmosphere as they entered, were greeted by friends, and settled in for a night including special music from the Psalms. Dr. Mitch Glaser shared from Psalms 22, and many were encouraged in their faith as well as brought closer to the saving truth and love of the Messiah Jesus! There were quite a few not-yet-believers who asked very real, sincere questions, and appreciated the opportunity for the dialogue. We are very thankful for an incredible night of fellowship, praise, and power that was shared through the Word of God!
Pray with us that those who came would keep searching with their hearts open to the Lord! Please pray for the believers who came and that their faith would be strengthened!
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N Cooke2022-02-17 14:55:552022-02-17 15:08:25Reaching the Hard-to-Reach
Group of ultra-orthodox Jewish people. (Photo: Unsplash/Miguel Baixauli)Inside Israel November 4th 2025