For more than two years, Lishay-Miran Lavi promised her young daughters they would see their father again and “get a hug that will heal everything.”
That promise was “finally completed” on Monday, according to Lavi, the wife of Omri Miran, an Israeli hostage who was freed by Hamas on Monday.
Her 48-year-old partner was taken from kibbutz Nahal Oz during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks. Lavi and her daughters Roni and Alma survived – after which the family were separated for nearly 740 days.
Lavi reflected on a “difficult” period for her community during a press conference at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Tuesday.
In her address, she paid tribute to her 80-year-old father-in-law, Dani Miran, describing him as “an iron man with a heart of gold.” “You were the first to arrive at each protest, and the last to leave,” said Lavi. “I hope you’ll have some peace.”
In April 2024, Hamas released a video showing Omri Miran alongside American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, who was released during the second ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in January.
Lavi also honored the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, adding, “This moment would not have happened if it wasn’t for you.” She thanked volunteers and demonstrators who have repeatedly called on the Israeli government to broker the hostages’ release from Gaza.
“I am glad we arrived at this agreement, otherwise there would be a devastating end,” Lavi said.