Serbia welcomed the news of a ceasefire deal including the return of all hostages to Israel, particularly Israeli-Serb captive Alon Ohel, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
“We are deeply relieved by the news that our citizen, Alon Ohel, might be among those to be released in the first phase of this arrangement,” Vučić told the Post. “Serbia has, from the very beginning, followed his situation with the utmost concern and has worked quietly through diplomatic channels to support efforts leading to his safe return.”
The Serb leader revealed to the Post in May that he had personally appealed to Arab leaders to help secure the release of Ohel.
“I met his family several times,” Vučić said at the time at the Presidential Palace in Belgrade. “I was so touched by the way they were presenting the case of their son and grandson when they were here. They were so proud and so dignified. They were doing everything in a solemn, serious way; doing everything to help.”
Ohel attended the Nova music festival on October 7
The young dual-national was attending the Nova music festival near Re’im when Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel. His family revealed in April that they had received information from released hostages that Ohel was now blind in one eye.
It is expected that by Monday at the latest, all hostages, both dead and alive, will be returned to Israel.
Speaking on the deal in general, Vučić stressed to the Post that, "The Republic of Serbia welcomes the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas under the mediation of the United States, marking an important step toward de-escalation and the restoration of peace in the region.
“On behalf of all citizens of Serbia, I extend our gratitude to the partners who contributed to this outcome, particularly the governments of Israel and the United States, for their coordination and humanitarian commitment.”
“Serbia remains steadfast in its support for all initiatives that prioritize the protection of civilians, the release of hostages, and the pursuit of a sustainable peace framework in the Middle East,” Vučić added.