\nFormer hostage Noa Argamani also took part in the event. In her speech on stage, she addressed Witkoff, saying:
\n\u201cAs you know, my partner Avinatan is still being held hostage, and we are fighting to bring all of the hostages home\u2014so that we can feel whole again and continue with our lives. I am confident that you will fight for every hostage until the very last one is freed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former hostage Eli Sharabi, who recently published his memoir, continued in a personal tone: “Every hostage must have the chance to hug their parents”<\/strong> In his speech, Witkoff also praised President Trump, saying his leadership safeguarded Israel\u2019s right to exist: Regarding efforts to return the hostages, Witkoff recounted his presence at the release of Edan Alexander after 584 days in captivity: U.S. Presidential Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff attends United Hatzalah\u2019s annual gala in New York: \u201cWe will never allow Iran to enrich uranium.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":26599,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,97,2276,85,88,65],"tags":[3079,4046,3918,4394,1671,4280,2713,2688,3676,2535],"class_list":["post-26597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-health","category-people","category-positive-moment","category-will-remember","category-world","tag-eli-sharabi","tag-gaza-hostages","tag-hostage-crisis","tag-iran-nuclear-threat","tag-noa-argamani","tag-operation-arnon","tag-steve-witkoff","tag-trump-administration","tag-u-s-israel-relations","tag-united-hatzalah"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n\u201cThank you, Steve, from the bottom of my heart\u2014for your unwavering commitment to my release, and for standing courageously and taking action to free my brothers and sisters from Gaza. Your strength, passion, and sacrifice mean more than words can express.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2-94-1024x886.webp\")
\nDuring the event, Witkoff was presented with the \u201cMedal of Life\u201d award.
\n\u201cWe will never allow Iran to enrich uranium or develop nuclear weapons,\u201d said Witkoff. \u201cA nuclear Iran poses an existential threat to Israel\u2014and it is an existential threat to the United States as well. We must stand together, determined to prevent it, no matter the cost.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe embassy move to Jerusalem, recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, executive orders protecting Jewish students on campuses\u2014he has been the strongest president Israel has ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI will never forget the moment he embraced his parents after the hell he endured in Gaza. Every living hostage must have that same opportunity\u2014to hug their parents.\u201d He added that they are committed to bringing back all fallen soldiers for burial in Israel:
\n\u201cSo that parents can visit their loved ones\u2014just as I visit my own son\u2019s grave.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"