Three Israeli hostages released as Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect

3 Israeli women return home after 471 days in Hamas’ captivity

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Sunday, with the militant group releasing three Israeli hostages on the first day of the truce. The hostages, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, returned to their families after 471 days in captivity. In exchange, Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Background of the hostages

Romi Gonen

• Age: 24
• Abduction Site: Nova Music Festival, October 7, 2023.
• Details: Romi spent her final moments before abduction on a frantic call with her mother, describing the chaos as militants attacked the festival. She was injured during the assault and later located in Gaza.
• Family’s Advocacy: Romi’s mother, Merav, actively campaigned for her release over the past 15 months, both locally and internationally.

Emily Damari

• Age: 28
• Citizenship: British-Israeli
• Abduction Site: Kibbutz Kfar Aza, during the October 7 attack.
• Details: Known for her love of music and travel, Emily was a central figure among her friends. Her mother expressed gratitude to supporters after her release, stating Emily was “finally home.”

Doron Steinbrecher

Age: 31

• Citizenship: Israeli-Romanian
• Abduction Site: Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
• Details: A veterinary nurse, Doron was taken from her apartment after sending voice notes to friends and family describing the harrowing attack. Her appearance in a January 2024 Hamas video brought a glimmer of hope to her family.

Context of the ceasefire agreement

• Hostages Released: The first phase of the truce will see 33 hostages freed in total.
• Exchange Details: The three women released on Sunday were exchanged for 90 Palestinian prisoners, including minors and individuals convicted of attacks against Israelis.
• Military Actions: The ceasefire includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Long-standing captivity cases

Hours before the truce began, Israel announced the retrieval of Oron Shaul’s remains, an Israeli soldier killed during the 2014 war. Hamas had held his body since then. However, the remains of Hadar Goldin and two other Israelis remain in Hamas custody.

Broader impact and future steps

The truce marks a potential turning point in the 15-month-long conflict, but tensions remain high. The release of these hostages has offered hope to families, yet many, including those from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, continue to wait for their loved ones’ return. Further phases of the ceasefire are expected to focus on additional hostage exchanges and military de-escalation.

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