Grey Bull Rescue says it has helped reunite close to 3,000 Americans who have been caught in the conflict in the Middle East.

TAMPA, Fla. — For 737 days, the hostages in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza felt like a world away. For Bryan Stern, chairman and founder of Grey Bull Rescue, that was his world, as he contributed to the mission to bring them home.

On Monday, the situation for hostages changed, with Hamas releasing the final 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for Israel freeing 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Over 250 hostages were seized two years ago during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.

“This chapter is closed today, and that’s truly amazing,” Stern said, after waiting two years for this day.

Stern and his organization have made the trip from their base in Tampa to the Middle East time and time again, rescuing Americans who have been caught in the middle of this conflict and reuniting close to 3,000 families.

During the conflict, they operated in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and other countries.

They conduct rescue missions for Americans and their allies from war zones, natural disasters, kidnappings and other crises. Stern, a multiple-tour combat veteran of the U.S. Army and Navy, said they work where the government can’t and are often a last-resort for families who are told they are out of options.

“It’s our favorite pictures of a son or a daughter hugging their mom or dad on American soil when all hope was lost,” he said.

Stern spoke with 10 Tampa Bay News over Zoom from Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel where his team made the trip one final time, so they could see the last remaining reunions of those caught in this conflict for themselves.

“We woke up this morning with hostages still in captivity,” he said. “We’re going to bed tonight with every single hostage out of captivity.”

Just because the conflict in Gaza appears to be winding down doesn’t mean Grey Bull’s efforts are over. 

Stern said they have a number of ongoing missions in other countries, particularly related to kidnappings, and are prepared to respond to any situations Americans may find themselves in. 

For more information, visit greybullrescue.org.