Page 7 - TORCH Magazine #29 - Autumn 2025

the joy won’t be complete until everyone,
everyone, comes home.”
The family released a written statement
quoting from Psalms: “‘Give thanks to the
Lord for His steadfast love and His wondrous
deeds for mankind… Let the redeemed of
the Lord say so, whom He redeemed from
the hand of the foe.’ We thank God for the
great mercy of returning our beloved son
alive, whole and healthy. Our Avinush is
home! After two long years of waiting and
struggle for his return, he is home! We will
embrace him, celebrate this victory, and
strengthen the hope among the people of
Israel.”
They expressed deep gratitude to the
IDF, “the heroic soldiers and the many
wounded,” as well as to bereaved families,
“without whom this would not have
happened.” The family also thanked Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic
Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and President
Donald Trump, “but above all, the people of
Israel who stood behind us, prayed, fought,
and stood by us through this difficult time.”
They concluded, “We chose hope, and we
remain with hope. The people of Israel live
and prevail.”
After the reunion with his parents, Avinatan
was led into a side room where his sweetheart
Noa was waiting. The two embraced and
kissed, apparently overwhelmed by the
moment. The beaming smiles caught on
camera say it all. The photographs of them
back together were symbolic not only of the
nightmare being over, but also of love and
commitment prevailing over evil.
He held her face as they stared with joy
into one another’s eyes. Two years had passed
since they were ripped apart by the barbarism
of Hamas. During that time, they had both
experienced unimaginable anguish, but today
they share in an answer to prayer.
We continue to extend our prayers for
Noa and Avinatan, and for all the hostages
and their families. We pray for strength as
they come to terms with the trauma and
seek to rebuild their lives. We pray for healing
and restoration, physically, mentally, and
emotionally. And we pray that the Lord will
bless them and lead them into future days full
of peace, contentment and joy.
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