Freed hostages celebrate elimination of Hamas captor

After the IDF and Shin Bet announced the elimination of Hamas terrorist Mohammed Hamed Mohammed Gabain, who held nine hostages in captivity, survivors who were held by him posted messages celebrating his death. Liri Albag, Aviva and Keith Siegel, and Zvika Mor, father of Eitan Mor, all released statements of relief.

Earlier on Sunday, the IDF Spokesperson and Shin Bet announced that forces eliminated Gabain, a commander in Hamas's military wing, in northern Gaza last week. He had held hostages Ziv and Gali Berman, Eitan Mor, Liri Albag, Agam Berger, Matan Angrest, Omri Miran, Keith Siegel and Alon Ohel in captivity.

Liri Albag on the elimination (Photo: Instagram)

"When good news like this arrives, you can't hide the smile," Albag wrote on her Instagram account, alongside a photo of the terrorist released by the Shin Bet and IDF. "What an insane closing of the circle! The terrorist who held Agam and me for almost a year --- eliminated! I have so much to tell about him."

She continued: "I could go on for hours about the suffering he put us through. But honestly, today I don't feel like giving him even one more word. Just smiling a huge smile and telling him, rot in hell. You scum. What a relief that you're no longer here. Remember our argument about which of us would go to hell? Good to know we were right about that too."

Aviva and Keith Siegel, who were kidnapped from their home in Kfar Aza on October 7, responded to the elimination: "Good that he has been eliminated and no longer poses a threat. In moments like this we think of the security forces --- you are the proof that even after the most difficult crises we continue to rise and ensure that the people of Israel will continue to exist and flourish."

Zvika Mor, father of Eitan Mor, said: "We are happy that justice has been done and happy that this cursed terrorist will no longer be able to murder and kidnap more Israelis."