“I kept my wedding ring for 25 years,” Palestinian man reunites with wife after over two decades

Palestinian man Ali Yousef Najib Subaih could not contain his joy as he reunited with his beloved wife after spending more than two decades in Israeli captivity. He was released as part of a hostage exchange deal under the ceasefire agreement.

Ali Yousef Najib Subaih was arrested by the Israeli army in May 2001. 

Throughout his years of imprisonment and the torture he endured in Israeli prisons, Subaih kept his wife’s wedding ring with him, holding onto the hope of their reunion.

"I kept my wedding ring for 25 years to put it on her finger on a day like this," he said.

On Thursday, Israel released 110 Palestinian detainees in exchange for Hamas freeing three Israeli captive and five Thai nationals in the third round of the prisoner swap.

Read: Palestinian woman celebrates reunion with husband freed from Israeli prison after over 10 years

Subaih’s story mirrors that of many Palestinian detainees who were wrongfully imprisoned for years and finally secured their freedom after the January ceasefire in Gaza.

After breaking free from decades of confinement, Subaih placed the wedding ring back on his wife's finger and embraced her, marking the end of their long separation.

Earlier, a Palestinian man, Mohammad Omar Zayed experienced overwhelming joy upon his release from Israel's captivity as he reunited with his beloved wife after more than 20 years. His freedom came as part of a hostage exchange deal during the Gaza truce.

The heartwarming story of Zayed and his wife touched countless hearts as the couple, separated for two decades, was finally brought back together.

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Their reunion symbolised resilience and love, even as the best years of their lives were stolen by the brutality of Israeli oppression.

True to his tradition, Zayed didn’t forget to pick up where he left off.

For years, he used to gift his wife a rose every day. On the day of his release, he continued this heartfelt gesture, presenting a rose to his soulmate after two long decades.

“I used to bring Umm-e-Abdullah a rose every day when I returned from work,” Zayed shared. “It has been 20 years since I last brought her one. Today, I’m grateful to God that I can give her this rose again.”

In return, his wife offered him a cup of coffee.

Several other Palestinian couples, separated for decades due to Israeli oppression, are now experiencing similar reunions.