Wilfried Devillers (in Tel-Aviv) / Photo credits: GILI YAARI / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP
After experiencing seven weeks of extreme anguish, 24 hostages, including 13 Israelis, ten Thais and one Filipino, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday. The Europe 1 special correspondent followed this release with relatives of the hostages, hundreds of Israelis gathered in the center of Tel Aviv.
They finally found their families. The 13 hostages released by Hamas returned to Israel late Friday. They are now in hospitals, where their loved ones have been able to join them. On Friday, an entire country was waiting and closely following all the stages of their release. Hundreds of people gathered in central Tel Aviv in front of the Museum of Fine Arts.
“We are really happy to see them”
On the crowded esplanade, time suddenly seems to stop. Here, as throughout the country, people held their breath. At the time of the release of the hostages, broadcast on television channels, Yaëlle has her eyes glued to her phone and comments. “There, they are returning to Israel. We are really happy to see them and to know that they will be back soon. What we want now is for all the hostages to come home,” she says.
“What will happen tomorrow? And the day after?”
No one forgets those who are still in the hands of Hamas. Verona will be fully reassured when all the hostages are free. “The question now is what will happen tomorrow? And the day after that? I’m happy that these 13 people are back home, but I don’t know how many hostages are still alive and that’s what upsets me the most”, she testifies.
A young woman sings a religious song, a few hours before Shabbat, echoed heartily by the crowd. A moment of communion, of hope, tinged with apprehension while the days ahead are still very uncertain.