Family members of hostages being held by Hamas celebrated the acceptance of the peace plan pushed by President Donald Trump by calling him on the phone to thank him for his efforts, which include the release of the remaining 48 hostages.
A group of family members were with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Wednesday night when they got the president on the phone for a quick conversation, a video from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum (HMFF) showed.
Upon answering the call, Trump was immediately met with positive remarks and cheers from the group.
Multiple people yelled, “Thank you!” while one person said, “You did it!” and another said, “This is amazing.”
Two women hug upon learning that Israeli hostages are expected to be released as a part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. (Liri Agami and Alon Kaplun)
The family members were in Washington, D.C., this week with the HMFF to mark two years since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack on Israel.
Trump’s peace plan was accepted one day after the Oct. 7 anniversary.
“Yesterday, we gathered here in the Sukkah of Hope with the Trump administration. And today, President Trump has done it. He announced just now that our loved ones, the hostages are coming home,” the organization said in a news release on Wednesday.
Hostage families embrace upon receiving the news of President Trump’s announcement of an agreement that will bring all the hostages home. (Liri Agami and Alon Kaplun)
HMFF assured it will continue fighting until all 48 hostages are returned to their families.
“We will not stop fighting until we see the last of the 48 return to their family. Those who were murdered in captivity, buried in the land of Israel, those who are still alive, walking through the border and reuniting with us, the families,” the organization said.
The group thanked Trump for his courage and the administration for “doing everything you can to bring them home.”
“Let’s do it,” the statement concluded.
