Released hostage Sapir Cohen speaks out about experience in Gaza

On Wednesday, a reception was held for city resident Sapir Cohen, who was kidnapped along with her partner Sasha Trupanov while they were staying at Kibbutz Nahal Oz where Sasha's parents live; he is still being held captive by Hamas. 

The Mayor of Kiryat Ata, Ya'akov Peretz, who has personally accompanied Cohen's family from the day of the abduction, shared a blessing.

"The residents of the city prayed for your peace and the peace of all the abductees and captives, and we are all happy about your return home," he said.

"The Hanukkah holiday symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and your return home symbolizes the light: You are at home," the mayor said. "We are so happy to see you safe and sound. We pray that the light will bring all the abductees home soon. We also wanted to see the late Ofir Sarfati at home, but unfortunately, we received the hard news that he was murdered and our hearts go out to his family." 

The mayor also said: "This morning we heard about the severe loss of our warriors and our hearts go out to the bereaved families and we wish recovery to the wounded. We are witness to the heavy price of [lost] life that the terrible war imposed on us is exacting from us. We have no choice; this is a war for our independence because we have no other country."

The welcoming ceremony held at the city youth club, which also included the lighting of the seventh Hanukkah candle, was attended by the chief rabbis of the city, Rabbi Avraham Diskin and Rabbi Eliyahu Maimon, the deputy mayor of the city, Adv. Maymon Toledano. In addition, youth movement trainees waited for Sapir, welcoming her with singing and Israeli flags and many members of her family.