Israel
‘Prepared and ready for Daddy’: Hostages’ children and loved ones share joy at being reunited
All 20 living hostages are due to be released today after more than two years in Hamas captivity
October 13, 2025 08:15
All 20 living hostages are due to be released today after more than two years in Hamas captivity
October 13, 2025 08:15The children, parents and friends of the living hostages being released today after more than two years in captivity have shared their joy and excitement as they prepared to be reunited with their loved ones.
Yesterday evening, as the hours ticked down ahead of 48-year-old Omri Miran’s release after 737 days in Gaza, his young daughters were pictured beaming with joy in anticipation of having their father home.
In a photo of Roni, four, and Alma, two, shared by their mother, Lishay Miran-Lavi, on X, the girls are shown smiling and clutching a suitcase each. In an accompanying message Miran-Lavi wrote: “Prepared and ready for Daddy Omri,” adding a yellow heart emoji.
Miran’s brother-in-law, Moshe Lavi, who previously spoke of how his sister Lishay would take the couple’s daughters outside at night to look at the stars and wish their father goodnight, said that the family had continued with this “ritual” for two years.
In a separate post on X last night Miran-Lavi shared a photo of herself and her daughters outside in the dark. She wrote: “For two years now, every night we go out under the moon and say, ‘Good night, Daddy Omri,’ hoping he hears, hoping he feels. Today, for the last time. Tomorrow, Roni and Alma will say it to Daddy himself.”
This morning, following the release of twin brothers Ariel and David Cunio, 38, their mother Silvia Cunio saw her sons on a video call.
"I did not hear anything, but I saw them and it was enough for me to feel an abnormal amount of happiness," Silvia told Israeli news outlet Walla.
"They seem perfectly fine to me, I thought they would be worse," she added.
"It's impossible to describe everything I'm going through. I'm already waiting to give them the biggest hug and kiss in the world," Silvia said.
She added that she originally did not answer the phone call due to not recognising the number – according to Army Radio, the call was made from a phone belonging to a Hamas terrorist.
Another released hostage, Matan Zangauke spoke with his mother, Einav Zangauker, and his girlfriend, Ilana Gritzewsky, on the phone for the first time in two years after he was handed over to the IDF, while Nimrod Cohen also spoke with his mother.
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