After 505 days in Hamas captivity, Tal Shoham was released on Saturday and is on his way to reunite with his family.
Shoham was abducted during the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack, along with his wife, Adi, their two young children, Naveh and Yahel, his mother-in-law and two other family members from Kibbutz Be’eri. While the rest of his family was freed in a previous hostage deal in November 2023, Shoham remained in captivity until now.
Hamas releases Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu
(Video: Al Jazeera)
Shoham and Avera Mengistu, another hostage released Saturday after nearly a decade in captivity, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Rafah before being transferred to the IDF and Shin Bet inside Gaza. Both men walked on their own but appeared visibly weak.
Tal Shoham's family watches him arrive by chopper to hospital
(GPO)
His family expressed overwhelming relief, calling it a "moment of mixed emotions." "Tal is finally with us. We are grateful to all of Israel for standing with us through this painful journey," his family said in a statement. "We need privacy now for Tal, Adi and the children. But at this crucial moment, we urge leaders to seize this opportunity for a deal that will bring all the remaining hostages home—both the living and the fallen."
Shoham’s brother, Mor Korengold, wrote in a social media post: "You’re a king, a hero, my brother. A survivor, a fighter! Welcome home."
"Tal is handsome, wow. They picked out an awful outfit for him, but that’s nothing. He’s coming back to Yahel, Naveh, Adi, his parents and siblings," said his cousin, Inbal Korengold. "We are so happy he’s home. We can finally breathe for a moment—but we will keep going until every last hostage is free."
The emotional day was marked by the bittersweet reality that Shiri Bibas' remains were also returned to Israel after she and her two young sons, Kfir and Ariel, were murdered in captivity. "We send our deepest condolences and love to the Bibas family," Inbal added. "To all the families who did not get their loved ones back today—we stand with you. No one is leaving until everyone comes home."
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Kibbutz Be’eri, where Shoham lived before his abduction, released a statement: "We are overjoyed by Tal’s return after being taken from his home during the brutal Oct. 7 attack. We embrace Tal and his family and wish him the best in his recovery."
Michele Peiken, a spokesperson for the kibbutz, echoed the sentiment: "Tal’s return brings us a deep breath of relief, but it won’t be complete until all hostages are back. We urge immediate progress on a deal to secure the release of those still in Gaza." She also called for the return of Be’eri residents whose bodies remain in Gaza, including Ofra Kedar, Meny Godard, Ilan Weiss, Dror Or, Yossi Sharabi and Sahar Baruch.
As the Shoham family awaited his return, his brother Mor posted a photo of their home’s front door with a caption: "Leaving home with my right foot forward, hoping everything goes smoothly. The thought of coming back and taking down the sign on our door is overwhelming."
Shoham’s close friend, Ofer, described the long wait for this moment. "I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. Imagine your best friend coming home after 16 months in captivity—it’s an indescribable feeling," he told Ynet. "But we must remember that others are still left behind. Our hearts are with the Bibas family and with Tamir Adar, our childhood friend who is still in Gaza. Today is filled with joy but also immense sorrow."
When asked what he would say to Shoham upon seeing him, Ofer replied: "I just want to hug him and cry with him. More than anything, I want to see a video of him reuniting with his wife and kids. Nothing would make me happier. And we must fight for the release of all the other fathers still left behind."
Family member Shira Baron previously wrote on Shoham’s birthday: "Every day is a fight to bring them home. For the hostages, every day is a fight for survival. And 'they'—they are our loved ones, the people who make up our families and communities. We will not stop fighting for them."