Tal Shoham, a 39-year-old Israeli with Austrian and Italian citizenship, was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri by Hamas on October 7 along with eight other members of his extended family.
Among them were Shoham’s wife and children, who were taken captive and held together but separated from him. His wife, Adi, and children, Naveh and Yahel, now aged 9 and 4, were released in the first hostage deal on November 25, 2023, after 50 days in captivity.
The Shohams, who live in Tzviya in the Galilee, were visiting Be’eri for Simchat Torah on October 7 because Adi had grown up there.
“The Shoham, Korngold, and Haran families are moved to welcome Tal back to us,” his family said in an official statement. “We thank all the people of Israel who stood with us through all the long days of pain and suffering.
“During these days, we need privacy for Tal, Adi, and the children. At this crucial moment in our lives, our only request is to seize this window of opportunity to secure a deal that will bring fathers back to their children – children need their fathers – and return all hostages home.”
A warm welcome home
Shoham’s brother, Mor Korngold, wrote in an Instagram story about him: “You are a king! My brother is a hero! A survivor and a victor! How amazing it is that you’ve come home.”
It was discovered that the family had been taken to Gaza when their house was found empty, and one family member’s phone was tracked to a location in Gaza. Tal was seen in the back of a vehicle along with other people kidnapped from Be’eri.
Shoham marked his 40th birthday on January 31, while his daughter, Yahel, marked her fifth birthday the day before.
“Tal is a very strong person mentally,” His friend, Ofer Shemesh said. “Maybe the strongest person I know – but even that has a limit.”