The reunion of the three hostages released on Shabbos with their families was bittersweet.

Sasha Troufanov, 29, who was abducted from Nir Oz was reunited with his mother, grandmother, and partner Sapir Cohen. However, sadly, he also came home to the news that his father Vitaliy, H’yd, was murdered on October 7.

IDF representatives who transferred Sasha from the Red Cross informed him about his father and he burst into tears.

Sasha’s family released a statement saying: “On October 7, Sasha was brutally abducted from his home and shot in both legs. Seeing him today strengthens us and gives us great hope for the long rehabilitation process that awaits him. This is a moment of immense relief for us, for his friends, and for everyone who held on to hope and davened for his return.”

“We thank everyone who accompanied us. We want to thank the IDF soldiers, the hostages’ families, and especially all the citizens of the State of Israel for their embrace, support, and unwavering emunah. The tefillos of many were answered today, and we thank everyone who accompanied us on this long journey.”

Sagui Dekel-Chen was reunited with his wife Avital and his parents. Avital was seven months pregnant when Sagui was abducted and gave birth to their third daughter while he was in captivity.

After they were reunited,  Avital asked her husband: “Do you remember what you called her?” referring to their third daughter.

“Mazal,” Sagui replied.

Avital:  “So that’s what she’s called.”

Sagui: “Mazal?”

Avital “Her name is Shachar Mazal.”

Sagui: “Perfect, what a name.”

Shaggy’s family stated after his release: “He was so far away for almost 500 days, and now finally he is on Israeli soil, with us. In the coming hours he will begin the rehabilitation process. He will meet his girls, Gali and Bar, and he will meet his little daughter, Shachar, for the first time, who was born while he was in captivity. The heart aches for everything that was missed, but now he is here, unlike many others.”

Yair Horn’s release was bittersweet for his entire family as his brother Eitan is still in captivity.

Yair reunited with his mother and brother Amos at the IDF facility near Gaza. They were then flown to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, where Yair reunited with his father, who had a kidney transplant several days ago.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)