In color: Freed hostage Ohad Ben Ami reunites with his wife and daughters – and our hearts are so full

After 491 Days: Ohad Ben-Ami Reunites with Family

Ohad Ben-Ami, released Saturday after 491 days in Hamas captivity, shared an emotional reunion with his family at Ichilov Hospital, where his three daughters Juli, Natalie, and Ella embraced him crying, "Dad, we love you. We missed you so much!"

"I have so much, so much to catch up on," Ben-Ami responded, surrounded by his mother Esther, brother Kobi, and wife Raz, who had been released from her own Hamas captivity in November 2023.

The 56-year-old Israeli-German citizen was among three hostages freed Saturday, appearing notably gaunt during the handover to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah. Ben-Ami had been taken from his home in Kibbutz Be'eri's "Vineyard" neighborhood on October 7, 2023.

His release comes after spending two birthdays in captivity while his family campaigned for his freedom. Ben-Ami's wife Raz, his partner of 28 years, had been advocating for his release since her own return during a November 2023 ceasefire deal.

The reunion at Ichilov Hospital was documented by Government Press Office photographers Maayan Toaf and Oz Schechter.