Former hostage blessed at Western Wall as thousands attend Passover ceremony

Several former hostages were among those that received a blessing at the Western Wall yesterday as thousands flocked to the sit for a Passover ceremony.

Crowds of worshippers arrive at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem for the traditional ceremony held every year during the intermediate days of Passover.

This year’s event, organised by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, holds special significance with the participation of hostages released from Hamas captivity, families of those still held captive, and wounded IDF soldiers.

Tens of thousands of worshippers flocked to the site to receive the blessing (Image: Flash90)Flash90

Among those attending was former hostage Eliya Cohen, who was freed from Hamas captivity on February 22 after 505 days.

Cohen, 27, was abducted from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. He was taken as he tried to flee the festival venue with his fiancée Ziv Aboud, who was left buried under bodies for six hours before being rescued by soldiers.

Throughout his captivity, Cohen had no idea whether his partner had been killed in the attacks and only discovered that she had survived when he was returned home.

Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel David Yosef, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Kalman Ber, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites Shmuel Rabinowitz, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion attended the ceremony.

The crowd also prayed for the safe return of the remaining hostages (Image: Flash90)Flash90

The event began at 8.45 am with morning prayers, followed by the first priestly blessing an hour and a half later. The additional prayer service started at 10.15 am, with the main blessing at 10.30 am.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, participants held a special prayer for the return of all hostages still held in Gaza, for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, for the healing of the wounded, and for peace and security across Israel.