Thousands of Israelis waited at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Sunday for their first pictures of released hostages from the Gaza ceasefire deal. The crowd went wild, cheering and crying in unison as their footage was released showing three women: Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, after 471 days in captivity.
The women, handed over to Red Cross officials in Gaza City, were met by armed men in camouflaged military gear with Hamas headbands. The emotional moment was broadcast live, drawing a powerful reaction from families and the Israeli public.
Shay Dickmann, whose cousin was killed by Hamas in August, expressed relief, saying, “I was so nervous that they would come safe and alive to their mothers’ hands.” The three hostages were later brought back to Israel, where video footage captured their families crying with joy as they watched the handover.
One of those released, Damari, is seen to have been visibly relieved and excited in her appearance while sporting a bandaged hand on which two of her fingers had been lost. Her friends are said to be overjoyed at her release after waiting to hear anything indicating life from them for an entire year. According to Guy Kleinberger, her friend, “We didn’t have any sign of life from her for a whole year”. Now we are just waiting here to hug her and tell her how much we love her.”
The three women were flown to Tel Aviv by helicopter, according to reports that the Israeli Air Force chief piloted the aircraft. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the nation, said, “Romi, Doron, Emily, an entire nation embraces you.
This was a very critical point in the ongoing ceasefire agreement and was considered a glimpse of hope for others who remained as hostages.
