Father of Hostage Died Hours Before Son’s Rescue: ‘He Died of Grief’

Stand for Israel | June 10, 2024

Mother of rescued Israeli hostage Almog Meir speaks to press at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, June 10, 2024. (Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Just as former hostage Almog Meir Jan finally returned home, his father died of grief before he could receive the good news of the hostage rescue, reports The Times of Israel:

“My brother died of grief and didn’t get to see his son return. The night before Almog’s return, my brother’s heart stopped,” Almog’s aunt Dina Jan told the Kan public broadcaster Sunday.

“We are very happy about Almog’s return, but the brain is unable to absorb that this is the end. We are broken,” she said, explaining that her brother lived alone in Kfar Saba.

“Yossi, my brother, Almog’s father, was glued to the television for the whole eight months, clinging to every piece of information,” she said.