NEEDHAM, Mass. — A Needham family’s prayers have been answered during the fourth round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas this week.
Ofer Kalderon, 54, was one of the three hostages released by Hamas Saturday morning during the latest ceasefire.
His cousin, Jason Greenberg, has been watching closely from his Needham home.
He told Boston 25 that his extended family knew he was on the list of hostages to be released, but they didn’t know he was alive until they watched the exchange live.
“Today was a miracle,” said Greenberg. “All I needed to see were his long locks and radiant smile which he put on display because that’s just who he is.”
Ofer’s children, Zahar and Erez, were also held hostage by Hamas but were released in December during an exchange.
Two other family members were captured and killed, Greenberg said.
He added, “We prayed this day would come, and our prayers have been answered.”
Ofer’s family and children greeted him at the hospital in an emotional reunion. He’ll be mentally and physically evaluated in Tel Aviv for the next four days.
Greenberg continued, “For over 16 months, he hasn’t known what time it is, what day, week, month it is. He hasn’t known the fate of his children.”
The Needham man learned his cousin was safe Saturday at 3 am when his family overseas called.
He explained, “A tightness evaporated in my chest, and a cloud from my mind disappeared.”
Greenberg said while his family is breathing a sigh of relief, it’s “tempered exhilaration.”
He finished, “The fight’s not done. While this is obviously a huge win to get more hostages back. We get to take one sigh of relief and just go back to work.”
Greenberg hopes to visit his cousin once he is able to share his story.
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