Freed Israeli Hostages Praise U.S. Envoys

Two former Israeli hostages, Sapir Cohen and Sasha Troufanov—kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023—recounted their captivity at a Brookline synagogue; Cohen was released in November 2023 and Troufanov spent 520 days in captivity before his February release. The couple are now engaged and plan to marry in March; Troufanov described being shot through both legs, prolonged isolation, and ongoing physical and emotional trauma, using crutches during the public discussion. Their appearance coincided with families and advocacy groups marking recent returned remains and mourning losses such as Arie Zalmanowicz, while urging continued efforts to recover all missing hostages. Several recently freed captives met in Tel Aviv with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to thank them for helping secure what officials called a “historic” release and to press for further diplomatic action. Israeli officials say Hamas handed over coffins to the Red Cross and reported finding additional bodies it may return, as Gaza’s death toll has surpassed 68,000.