SCRANTON, Pa. — It's been roughly two years since Israeli hostages were taken after Hamas attacked Israel. Since then, some folks in Northeastern Pennsylvania have been praying for this day to come.

"It's a relief, it's a joy to know they're reunited with their families, and it's something we've been waiting for for a very long time,” said Daniel Chejfec, the executive director Jewish Federation of NEPA.

As a part of an ongoing peace deal brokered by the United States, 1900 Palestinians were released by the Israeli government in exchange for 20 Israeli hostages on Monday. At the Scranton Jewish Community Center, the hostage exchange is what everyone's been talking about.

"Speaking to a lot of people in our Jewish community, it was sort of the talk of the town, people emailing about it,

See Full Page