MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) – Forty-five percent of the Jewish population who live in Maryland call Montgomery County home. Jewish leaders say Monday is a great day for their community because Hamas released the remaining living Israeli hostages.

“It is a day of joy in the Jewish community to see these people return,” Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington, said.

“It brought tears to everyone’s eyes that I knew just seeing people getting back together,” said Jewish Federation of Greater Washington CEO Gil Preuss.

“There’s just a profound sense of relief and joy,” Temple Beth Ami Senior Rabbi Gary Pokras expressed.

The leaders say they are grateful that the 20 hostages who were still held in the Israel-Hamas War can return home.

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