As 2024 draws to an end, we look back at a busy year. We rejoiced with those who came home, mourned for the ones who didn’t come back, and never forgot those who are still captive. We pray for their safe and prompt return.
JANUARY
Legislative provisions in support of hostages and wrongful detainees go into effect. They provide medical and mental health benefits to family members and returned captives, plus travel funding to support families’ advocacy efforts on behalf of those detained.
FEBRUARY
The book American Mother is released in Europe.
MARCH
The first Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day is observed in Washington, D.C. with multiple events at the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Capitol led by the Foley Foundation, supported by the McCain Institute, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs and multiple Congressional offices.
It was announced that dual US-Israeli citizen Itay Chen , who was thought to have been held hostage in Gaza, was killed on October 7.
MAY
The death of Majd Kamalmaz was announced. He was detained in Syria in February 2017 and is believed to have died sometime between his captivity and 2019.
The Tenth Anniversary James W. Foley Freedom Awards is held at the National Press Club in D.C. featuring Sting as a guest performer.
JULY
The sixth edition of the Foundation’s annual research report, Bringing Americans Home is released in an event on Capitol Hill.
AUGUST
Four wrongful detainees – Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Evan Gershkovich, and Vladimir Kara-Murza are released from Russia .
The Foundation observes the tenth anniversary of James Foley’s murder by ISIS in Syria.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, held hostage in Gaza, is killed.
SEPTEMBER
The Foundation commemorates the tenth anniversary of its establishment.
Pastor David Lin , wrongfully detained, is released from China.
Two U.S.citizen children held captive in Nicaragua are released.
OCTOBER
The tenth James W. Foley Freedom Run is held in New Hampshire, DC and world-wide through a “virtual” option.
Tigran Gambaryan is released from custody in Nigeria.
NOVEMBER
Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung , wrongful detainees, are released from China.
DECEMBER
The IDF announces that Omer Neutra, held hostage in Gaza, had died on Oct 7, 2023
