The Daily – “Two Years Later, Israel’s Last Hostages Return”

Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Rachel Abrams
Reporter: Isabel Kershner

Overview

This powerful episode of The Daily centers on the emotional, historic return of the last Israeli hostages from Gaza, marking a turning point two years after the October 7th attack. Reporter Rachel Abrams brings listeners into the heart of Israel at this pivotal moment, particularly to “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv, and explores how this milestone resonates among families, ordinary Israelis, and the wider political context. With on-the-ground interviews and analysis, the episode delves into the personal pain, relief, and complicated feelings surrounding the exchange deal, while also examining the broader implications for Israeli society and the region.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Scene in Israel and Hostage Square

[00:43-04:48]

• Returning to Devastation and Hope:

  • Thousands of Palestinians return to Gaza neighborhoods, witnessing the aftermath of war.
  • Meanwhile, Israel is gripped by anticipation of the remaining hostages’ return.

• Hostage Square as Focal Point:

  • Rachel Abrams and producer Claire Tenisketter arrive at Ben Gurion Airport; hostages' faces and ages line the halls, some with birthdays crossed out as time passed.
  • Hostage Square, a plaza by the IDF headquarters, has become a living memorial, a center for rallies, and a space of communal action and remembrance.
  • Features: Memorials, messages, a piano for a music-loving hostage, and an artistic Hamas tunnel replica.

2. Family Voices: Relief, Pain, and Complicated Closure

[05:52-16:12]

Moshe Lavi – A Family's Waiting

• Personal Story:
  • Brother-in-law of Omri Mirand, a captive for two years; Omri’s young daughters and wife were also taken but rescued.
  • The family is focused on preparing for Omri’s return and healing:

    “Omri, for me, is always going to be the smiling man who made my sister happy after difficult years. It's the love of her life… The heart is this big heart that entered our family.” — Moshe Lavi [06:40]

  • On what's next:

    “I just want to see my sister and nieces hug him… I hope it will be the most beautiful moment in their life.” — Moshe Lavi [07:54]

Ruby Chen – Living Between Hope and Grief

• Personal Story:
  • American-Israeli father; his son, Itai, was captured during military service on October 7th.
  • Months of uncertainty, then the painful news from the IDF that Itai almost certainly didn’t survive, without physical evidence.
  • Describes the ongoing void and yearning for closure:

    "...think of a family dinner, holiday dinner with a chair that is empty." — Ruby Chen [10:49]

  • On not knowing:

    “It is just as important to us to get Itai back and then we'll deal with the two options: either being able to hug him, or... one chapter ended and we need to start another.” — Ruby Chen [11:41]

Kormit Palti Katsir – Loss, Survival and the Nature of Closure

• Personal Story:

  • Daughter, sister, and wife of October 7th victims—some murdered, some taken, some survived after captivity.
  • Speaks poignantly about the difference between being able say goodbye and “not having that closure.”
  • Reflects on her mother's suffering and passing after release:

    “With her, we have the opportunity and the privilege to say goodbye, to say how much we love her… We didn’t have that with my brother, and we didn’t have that with my father.” — Kormit Palti Katsir [15:06]

• On National Change:

  “I feel like the loss and the ruins both in Israel and in Gaza… will take years and decades to rebuild. I'm not talking about homes—I'm talking about the possibility of living one next to each other.” — Kormit Palti Katsir [16:21]

3. The Bigger Picture: Interview with Isabel Kershner

[19:20-31:00]

The Hostage Deal: Mechanics and Scope

• Who Are the Hostages?

  • Initially about 250 taken on October 7, 2023 — civilians, children, elderly, and some soldiers.
  • Two years saw only occasional exchanges; the remaining 20 live hostages are mainly young civilian men, plus the return of remains of 26 others.

• Terms of Return:

  • Hamas now avoids public “stage” releases, instead delivering hostages to the Red Cross, who then turn them over to the Israeli military at the Reim base for initial medical checks and family reunions.
  • Over 200 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700+ Gaza detainees to be freed by Israel.

• Unseen Trauma:

  • Worries over the physical and psychological state of returnees after two years of captivity.

Political & Social Resonance

• Centrality of Hostages to Israeli Society:

  • Israel’s conscription ethos—“never leave a soldier behind”—has meant hostages are a national trauma.
  • Growing anger at the government’s perceived abandonment:

    “The square has become a kind of fulcrum of anger and frustration... And now you experience a complete flip... to actually seeing... this war end, which a majority of Israelis has been calling for.” — Isabel Kershner [24:47]

• Surprising Political Sentiments:

  • At Hostage Square, massive gratitude and cheers for President Trump’s role, with “Thank you, Mr. President” signs and even calls for a Nobel Peace Prize.
  • In sharp contrast, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s name provoked loud boos:

    “There’s a lot of anger... for Netanyahu’s refusal to take responsibility... That’s what you were seeing last night.” — Isabel Kershner [27:09]

Aftermath: Unanswered Questions and a New Beginning

• Uncertainties Ahead:

  • The hostage-prisoner swap is just phase one of a vague broader deal—future stability is fragile.
  • International “peace summit” planned immediately, with Trump, Egypt’s president, and Arab leaders invited.

• Societal Impact:

  • "People in Israel at least are celebrating the end of the war. It feels to them like we have reached the end... Does that seem fair to you?"

    “Yes. I think Israelis... are relieved. After two years, there’s little appetite... But does it mean peace? Absolutely not. The fundamental issues remain.” — Isabel Kershner [30:13]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Moshe Lavi, on Omri’s smile:

  “It's the love of her life... The smiling face, the bashful eyes.” [06:40]

• Ruby Chen, on absence at the table:

  “…a holiday dinner with a chair that is empty.” [10:49]

• Kormit Palti Katsir, on the pain of no closure:

  “…you can't kiss him goodbye because his body wasn't in a state... The sense of closure, it's not full...” [13:45]

• Isabel Kershner, on Israeli society’s transformation:

  “Every single opinion poll for months... said they favored prioritizing a hostage deal... over continuing the war.” [24:47]

• On political mood:

  “Every time Witkoff mentioned Trump, the crowd... cheered and clapped. Every time Witkoff mentioned Netanyahu, people would boo.” — Rachel Abrams [26:28]

Segment Timestamps

• Arrival in Israel/Description of Hostage Square: [00:43–04:48]
• Family Interviews (Moshe Lavi, Ruby Chen, Kormit Palti Katsir): [05:52–16:12]
• Societal Impact & Hostage Square’s Meaning: [16:12–19:20]
• Context and Analysis with Isabel Kershner: [19:20–31:00]
• Celebrations as Hostages Begin Returning: [31:15–32:12]

Concluding Reflections

The return of Israel’s last hostages marks the emotional climax of a grueling two-year period—one marked by immense loss and anger, but also hope and communal endurance. While many Israelis gather to celebrate, the pain is tempered by grief for those not returning, division over political leadership, and deep uncertainty about what comes next for both Israelis and Palestinians.

As Kormit Palti Katsir sums up:

“In the end of the war, none of us is feeling more safe. And it's sad to say.” [16:21]

The story closes not simply with relief, but with clear-eyed recognition that for many, and the society at large, healing and true closure remain distant.