American journalist Peter Theo Curtis has now happily returned with his family Tuesday, ending a two-year nightmare in the hands of Islamic State terrorists.

In a statement released by the family spokeswoman, Betsy Sullivan, Curtis arrived Tuesday afternoon at the Newark Liberty International Airport from Tel Aviv.

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Curtis, 45, was touched at how heart-warming everyone had been since his release Sunday - from the strangers he was with in the airplane, to the flight attendants, and mostly to his family, friends, and neighbors in Boston.

He added that he is deeply indebted to both the United States and Qatar who were behind his release.

The United Nations said that Peter Theo Curtis was handed over to UN peacekeepers in Al Rafid village, Quneitra, the Golan Heights, at around 6:40 in the evening of August 24. Curtis had undergone a medical check-up before he was handed over to U.S. government representatives.

A video released during the time he was in captivity showed Curtis had grown a beard and had long hair. The video was also the first key indication for the U.S. government that the Boston native was a hostage. From then on, Curtis's family had been working with intelligence agents to find out where he was being held. 

Curtis may have to be questioned further about the circumstances of his captivity, to aid in efforts to free other American hostages.

President Barack Obama also extended his message of joy and relief that Theo is now safe and home. Obama is also asking everyone to continue praying for those Americans who remain captives in Syria. Obama also said that the U.S. will seek to use all tools at their disposal to free all the remaining American hostages.

TagsTheo curtis, abducted, terrorists