WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump hosted a delegation at the White House on Thursday of nearly all the hostages freed through as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal he brokered last month.
“You’re not a hostage anymore… today you’re heroes,” Trump told the former hostages and their families in a brief portion of his prepared remarks that were filmed and released by the White House.
The Israeli delegation was made up of 26 former hostages, including 17 of the 20 living captives who were released in the deal that took force in October.
Among those 17 was Matan Angrest, who Trump singled out for praise.
“Because of his service in the IDF, Matan was subjected to severe beatings, even at times losing consciousness. Alone and under special guard, he went through hell,” Trump said in another short video posted by the Hostages Families Forum.
“Matan never broke, and today he’s a living testimony to the toughness, heart, and faith of the Jewish people. I’m telling you, you’re a great inspiration to everybody,” Trump added.
“You’re not a hostage anymore—today you’re HEROES.”
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 20, 2025
Addressing all of the hostages, Trump said, “It’s an honor to get to know all of you. I know some of you already. I know some of the previous hostages that we got out very well. We love you all, and our country loves you all… you’re amazing people.”
Trump also handed each member of the delegation a special presidential coin.
A number of the former hostages brought gifts for the US president to express their gratitude. Twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman brought a mezuzah that had survived the fire that Hamas-led terrorists had set in their Kfar Aza home during the October 7, 2023, attack that started the Gaza war.
The twins recovered the mezuzah last week during their first visit back to Kfar Aza since they were freed on October 13.
במהלך הפגישה עם שורדי השבי, הנשיא טראמפ פנה למתן אנגרסט:"עברת גיהנום אמיתי; אתה עדות לחוסן של העם היהודי"@michalpeylan
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) November 20, 2025
In interviews ahead of the White House visit, the former hostages said they were planning to use the opportunity to thank Trump for securing their release, while urging him to continue pressuring Hamas to free the remaining three bodies of deceased hostages still held in Gaza.
Thursday’s reception marked the third time that Trump has hosted delegations of hostages whose release he helped secure in two separate deals this year, the first of which was sealed in January when he was president-elect.
Trump campaigned on securing the release of the hostages and ending the war in Gaza. The January 2025 deal fell apart after its six-week first phase, leading to another eight months of war before the October ceasefire.
The Israeli delegation arrived in the US on Tuesday and was hosted on Wednesday by a bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
President Trump personally gives each freed Israeli hostage his presidential challenge coin ❤️
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) November 20, 2025
“To our great hostages who now carry a weight, a story and experience that you never asked for… We will be your friends for life. We will be your advocates for life. We will continue to wear our pins, and we will continue to tell your story,” Democratic Representative Haley Stevens said during the meeting, according to a readout from the Israeli embassy.
“Today we were able to bring both sides of the House, Democrats and Republicans, together into one room,” said Danny Miran, the father of recently released hostage Omri Miran, who was also part of the delegation. “This is an opportunity to thank you, American Jewry, and all those who took the trouble and labored and made efforts to bring these wonderful children home. In less than a month, we will be celebrating Hanukkah – the Festival of Lights – thank you very much for all these lights you have lit for us.”
