Tel Aviv: Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, shared a deeply personal and emotional moment on Monday, reflecting on US President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel and the recent release of hostages from Gaza. In a post on X, Leiter recounted an exchange on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport that left him profoundly moved.
According to the ambassador, Trump told him that Leiter’s late son, Moshe who had fought in Gaza was “looking down at you with a smile.” “My heart burst,” Leiter wrote, describing the surge of emotion that accompanied the president’s words.
Leiter noted that his son had participated in the Gaza operations with the goal of “bringing our brothers and sisters home,” emphasizing the personal and national significance of the mission. He credited both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with completing that mission, highlighting their central roles in securing the hostages’ safe return.
The ambassador’s remarks provide a poignant glimpse into the human dimension behind the diplomatic efforts, underscoring the intertwined nature of personal sacrifice and international negotiation in the delicate process of hostage recovery. For Leiter and other families, the moment represents not just relief for the living hostages, but also a sense of closure and honor for those who paid the ultimate price in service of their country.