President Herzog meets former hostage Tal Shoham, calls him a national hero 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived today (Thursday) at the home of former hostage Tal Shoham, released from Hamas captivity after 505 days, to meet with him and his wife Adi.

Tal was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be'eri in the brutal terror attack that took place on October 7. Adi, Tal's wife, was kidnapped along with their two children, Naveh and Yahel, who were released in the first deal.

Herzog turned to Shoham and said: "Tal, I am so excited to see you, I think the entire people of Israel are excited to see you. Be strong and courageous. You are a national hero, and we have to do everything we can to bring back the friends who were with you and all the friends, brothers, all the hostages to their homes."

Tal responded: "I feel good to go home. But the emotions are mixed. On the one hand, there is the reunion with the family, and the return to the small and extended family unit. But unfortunately, these are mixed feelings because I left a new family behind. I told my wife Adi from the beginning that despite the need to recover, to acclimatize back home, I am fully enlisting in the struggle for my brothers' lives."

"Guy Gilboa, Dalal and Evyatar David, were with me the entire period of captivity, and they are my brothers. It's still too early to sit on our laurels and rest from everything that happened and recover, because their lives are in danger, and we have to get everyone out of there," Tal insisted.

The president concluded, "We must act on a call, a cry, an action, in every way to bring them home. These are critical moments and I embrace the families. I am happy to see you, the people of Israel are happy to see you, and they will be the happiest in the world to see everyone come home."