Freed Israeli Hostages Meet President Trump in Oval Office; Urge Continued Efforts to Bring Remaining Captives Home

Freed Israeli Hostages Meet President Trump in Oval Office; Urge Continued Efforts to Bring Remaining Captives Home

By: Fern Sidman

In a deeply emotional and politically significant meeting, eight Israeli hostages recently freed from Hamas captivity visited Washington, D.C., where they met with President Donald Trump and senior U.S. officials on Tuesday. According to a report on The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), the delegation included Eli Sharabi, Doron Steinbrecher, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Or Levy, Omer Shem Tov, Iair Horn, and Noa Argamani. Their visit called attention to the importance of continued international diplomatic efforts to secure the release of those still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Earlier today, President Trump met with eight released Israeli hostages from Gaza. He listened to their heartbreaking stories and they expressed gratitude for his unwavering efforts to secure their release. @realDonaldTrump @Israel #HamasisISIS #Gaza #October7Massacre @netanyahu… https://t.co/rp0dmh9LU3

— The Jewish Voice (@TJVNEWS) March 6, 2025

JNS reported that these survivors were freed under a recent agreement between the United States, Israel, and Hamas, marking a significant step in hostage negotiations and international efforts to combat terrorism. Hamas, an Iranian-backed terrorist organization, continues to hold hostages in Gaza, making their release a top priority for Israel and its allies. The Israeli delegation’s visit to Washington reflected the need for ongoing strategic cooperation to ensure the safety of civilians and reinforce international human rights efforts.

According to the report on JNS, the hostages met with President Trump on Tuesday afternoon, where they shared harrowing details of their time in captivity and expressed deep gratitude for the efforts that led to their freedom. One of the freed hostages, Omer Shem Tov, directly addressed Trump, saying, “You are the hope of the hostages.” He added, “My family and I believe you were sent by God to rescue the hostages.”

Naama Levy also expressed her appreciation, telling Trump, “You were our hope, and now you’re the hope of the rest of the hostages.” In response, Trump asked the hostages, “So, you didn’t think until I came along that you were going to get out?” The hostages, according to JNS, responded with a unanimous and emphatic “no.”

Naama Levy elaborated on the sense of hope Trump’s involvement brought, telling him, “Once you were elected, we heard that you want to do everything to make a deal as soon as possible.” Trump confirmed his commitment to securing the release of all remaining hostages, responding, “Well, we said, ‘you better let them out.’ Something happened. We’re going to get the rest of them. We’re working on it very hard.”

In addition to meeting with President Trump, the delegation met with other U.S. administration officials to discuss the urgency of securing the release of those still held captive in Gaza, the JNS report indicated. However, neither the White House nor the National Security Council provided specific details about those discussions.

A White House statement noted, “Today, President Trump took time to meet with eight of the released hostages from Gaza. The president listened intently to their heartbreaking stories. The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home.”

Keith Siegel, one of the freed hostages, also addressed the significance of their visit, the JNS report said. He stated, “We are here today, in Washington, D.C., a group of released hostages. We came to the White House to express our great appreciation and gratitude to President Trump and his special envoy to the Middle East, Mr. Steve Witkoff.”

“They made a deal possible, they got us all home,” Siegel added. “We urged them to continue their enormous efforts. They have done so much. We trust them, and we know they will get the job done to get all the rest of the 59 remaining hostages held in Gaza back to their families, back to Israel.” His remarks reflected the delegation’s confidence in the efforts of the U.S. and Israeli leadership to secure the release of those who remain in captivity.

Several of the freed hostages also attended Trump’s speech on Tuesday night. Although the president touched on the hostage crisis only briefly, their presence in the chamber served as a stark reminder of the human cost of Hamas’s actions.

According to the information contained in the JNS report, the Hostage Families Forum, which have been advocating for the release of all those still held, issued a statement reaffirming the critical importance of their mission. “They thanked the president and the special envoy for their efforts in securing their release from Hamas hell and shared with them firsthand accounts about the urgency of returning all 59 remaining hostages—the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial.” The Forum’s statement highlights the dire situation facing those still in captivity and the need for swift action.

Following his meeting with the freed hostages, President Trump issued a strong warning to Hamas, making it clear that failure to release the remaining captives would come with severe consequences. According to the JNS report, Trump took to social media to deliver an ultimatum.

“‘Shalom Hamas’ means hello and goodbye—you can choose,” Trump wrote. “Release all of the hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is over for you. Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted.”

As reported by JNS, Trump reinforced his commitment to Israel’s military efforts, vowing to ensure the terror group’s defeat if they refused to comply. “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say,” he warned. “Release the hostages now, or there will be hell to pay later.”

This firm stance contrasts with statements from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed earlier that the administration had been holding direct negotiations with Hamas regarding the release of American citizens still held in Gaza. Trump’s message suggested a more forceful approach, prioritizing military pressure over continued diplomatic talks.

The former hostages also met with Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum reiterated that the delegation deeply appreciated the work done to secure their freedom while stressing the need for a continued and unrelenting push to free the remaining captives. “They thanked the president and the special envoy for their efforts in securing their release from Hamas hell and shared with them firsthand accounts about the urgency of returning all 59 remaining hostages—the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial,” the Forum stated, according to the JNS report.

During their meeting with Trump, the freed hostages presented him with a gold plaque engraved with the words, “Whoever saves one life is as if he had saved the entire world.” The JNS report indicated that this symbolic gesture conveyed their deep gratitude and shed light on the immense moral and humanitarian imperative of rescuing hostages. The phrase, derived from Jewish tradition, highlights the sanctity of life and the obligation of world leaders to act decisively in such crises.

The freed hostages’ visit to Washington is part of a larger effort to ensure that the world remains focused on those still held in Gaza. By sharing their stories and engaging with top U.S. officials, their objective is to galvanize international support and maintain pressure on Hamas.

The JNS report noted that this advocacy extends beyond simply securing the release of hostages. It is also a call for stronger measures against Hamas and other terror groups that engage in hostage-taking as a tool of warfare. Their visit placed an emphasis on the ongoing battle against terrorist organizations that continue to pose a threat to global stability.

While the release of these hostages is a major success, the fight is far from over. The families of those still missing remain in anguish, pushing for immediate action from world leaders.

As this crisis continues to unfold, one thing remains clear; the voices of those who have been freed will not be silenced until every last hostage is brought home—whether alive for rehabilitation or deceased for a dignified burial. Their presence in Washington served as a powerful reminder that this is not just a political issue but a moral imperative that demands immediate and decisive action.