The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday. As part of the agreement, Hamas released three Israeli hostages on the first day. These women had been held captive for 471 days. In exchange, Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners.
The Hostages’ Homecoming
Romi Gonen
Romi Gonen, 24, was kidnapped during the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. She spoke to her mother, Merav, during the ordeal. Romi said, “Mommy, I was shot, the car was shot, everybody was shot. … I am wounded and bleeding. Mommy, I think I’m going to die.” The call ended abruptly, and her phone’s location showed she was in Gaza. Merav, who had been advocating for Romi’s release, said, “We are doing everything we can so the world will not forget.”
Emily Damari
Emily Damari, 28, was taken from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the attack. Her mother, Mandy, shared that Emily was the “glue” for her close-knit friend group. After Emily’s release, Mandy thanked everyone who had supported her daughter’s return, saying, “Emily is finally home.”
Doron Steinbrecher
Doron Steinbrecher, 31, was also kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. She sent a voice note saying, “I’m hiding under the bed and I hear them trying to enter my apartment.” Later, Doron appeared in a video released by Hamas, showing her in poor health. Despite the concerns, her family remained hopeful.
The Larger Context of the Hostage Crisis
The October 7 attack led to the kidnapping of over 250 people. Some were rescued, while others’ bodies were recovered. However, many hostages, including American-Israeli Keith Siegel and Israeli twins Gali and Ziv Berman, remain in Hamas captivity.
The Ongoing Ceasefire Agreement
The current ceasefire deal allows for the release of 33 more hostages. Before the truce, Israel retrieved the body of soldier Oron Shaul, who was killed in the 2014 conflict and whose remains had been held by Hamas since then.