Israeli hostage with Connecticut ties released by Hamas
Sagui Dekel-Chen's father, Jonathan, grew up in Bloomfield before he moved to Israel.
More Stories
One of the three Israeli hostages freed by Hamas on Saturday has ties to Connecticut.
Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, along with Iair Horn, 46, and Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov were freed by Hamas while Israeli authorities released more than 300 Palestinian prisoners from custody.
Dekel-Chen's father, Jonathan, grew up in Bloomfield before he moved to Israel.
Israel and Hamas have completed six swaps since their ceasefire began on Jan. 19, freeing 21 hostages and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners so far during the first phase of the truce. The war could resume in early March if no agreement is reached on the more complicated second phase, which calls for the return of all remaining hostages captured in the Oct. 7 attack and an indefinite extension of the truce.
Nearly all the 73 remaining hostages are men, including Israeli soldiers, and about half are believed to be dead.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal released the following statement, "I am overjoyed for Sagui Dekel-Chen and his loved ones who will finally be reunited after Sagui's many horrific months in Hamas's captivity. Throughout this painful time, I have spoken with Sagui's father, Jonathan, a Connecticut native whose strength has been an inspiration. Now that this darkness has ended for Sagui and his family, he can finally meet his new daughter. May Sagui's courage and his heartening release uplift the path to peace and embolden the work ahead to ensure all hostages can return home."
AP Wire Services contributed to this story.
