President Donald Trump met on Tuesday at the White House with former Hamas hostage Rom Braslavski, who credited the U.S. president with helping secure his release after 738 days in captivity.

Photos from the meeting show Braslavski wearing a shirt emblazoned with the Hebrew words, “Thank you very much, Trump.”

According to Israel Hayom, this was Braslavski’s first meeting with Trump. He was unable to join a delegation of former hostages and family members that met with the president in November 2025 due to mental health challenges following his ordeal in captivity. Reports at the time indicated that Braslavski was suffering from PTSD and was concerned that the trip would be too difficult.

Following the White House meeting, Braslavski shared an emotional message on Instagram directed at the president.

“Mr. President Donald Trump – you are the man who got me out from the hell of 738 days of captivity,” he wrote. “You are my hero, may God bless you, may God bless America.”

Braslavski was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, while working as a security guard at the Nova music festival. He remained in captivity for more than two years before being freed in October 2025.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)