Freed hostage Yosef-Haim Ohana returned to his hometown of Kiryat Malachi on Sunday after weeks of rehabilitation at the Kfar Hamaccabiah hotel complex in Ramat Gan.

Ohana, who was taken captive during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre at the Nova music festival, was one of the 20 final surviving hostages released on October 13, more than six weeks ago, following the adoption of the ceasefire in Gaza.

He left Kfar Hamaccabiah smiling and surrounded by his parents and well-wishers.

Local high school students as well as drummers from nearby chapters of the Scouts movement accompanied him on his exit from the hotel.

Upon leaving, he clapped his hands and mimed a hug.

“I’m so excited to return to the city, after two years of dreaming that I would get there someday. It’s crazy,” he said. He then told the crowd, “I want to say thank you. Listen, you’re amazing.”

He added soon after, “I don’t know how to take it in. I told myself that I wouldn’t even prepare myself for this; I knew it would be crazy.”

Turning to the crowd, he said, “But look, look at these champs. I’m still here.”

תיעוד: מאות מקבלים את פניו של יוסף חיים אוחנה שחזר לביתו בקריית מלאכי@ShaniRami pic.twitter.com/RulINI2Wx1

— גלצ (@GLZRadio)........

© The Times of Israel