Alongside former hostages: Tens of thousands at thanksgiving and selichot prayer at the Western Wall

Tens of thousands participated in the central Selichot event at the Western Wall, where a special thanksgiving prayer was held with the participation of former hostages, including Noa Argamani, Itai Regev, Omer Shem Tov, Bar Kupershtein, Eliya Cohen, and Ziv Cohen. The Rabbi of the Wall recited a special prayer for their return, alongside prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers and national unity.

Tens of thousands of people participated on Saturday night, August 22, 2026, in the central Selichot event at the Western Wall plaza. During the event, a special thanksgiving prayer was held with the participation of former hostages: Noa Argamani, Itai Regev, Omer Shem Tov, Bar Kupershtein, Eliya Cohen, and Ziv Cohen. The Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, together with the former hostages and the crowd of tens of thousands, recited a thanksgiving prayer for their return. Prayers were also offered for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, for national unity, and for the peace and security of Israel. The article notes that Eliya Cohen and Ziv Avod, two of those present, were married last week. For the couple, this is a personal victory after Eliya was kidnapped to Gaza and returned after a long period in Hamas captivity, and Ziv was with him in the shelter at Re'im on Black Saturday. The next central Selichot event is expected on Thursday, August 27, at 00:15.