On the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, and with ceasefire talks underway, some Tampa Bay residents are hopeful for long-lasting peace.

For Sarasota part-time resident Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the issue is deeply personal. His son, Sagui, was held hostage in Gaza for nearly 500 days before being released in February 2025.

Unspeakably grateful that Sagui came back to us after nearly 500 days of captivity in Hamas hell-holes in Gaza, Dekel-Chen said. He came back wounded in body. Hes doing as well as a person can do under the circumstances.

With his son safely back, Dekel-Chen said he can only imagine the heartbreak still facing families whose loved ones remain captive.

Its a kind of sadness, grief, fear that is unlike any other Ive ever known, he said. When Sagui came hom

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