First Israeli hostages freed by Hamas following 471 days in captivity after cease-fire takes effect
Three hostages, including one who survived the brutal Nova music festival massacre during the Oct.7 terrorist attack, were freed on Sunday as the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal went into effect following hours of uncertainty.Romi Gonen, 23, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 30, were handed over to the Israel Defense Forces by the Red Cross after 471 days in captivity.Earlier, Hamas terrorists transferred the women to the aid group’s trucks during a chaotic scene in Gaza.In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, Israelis sobbed and cheered to support the women’s families at a rally held by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.There are still 57 living hostages left in Gaza; 30 more hostages, including two Americans, are set to be freed in the first phase of the cease-fire agreement.In exchange for the three hostages’ freedom, which was delayed by nearly eight hours, Israel released 90 Palestinian convicts, including women and minors, from Israeli prisons.Gonen, 23, was shot in the arm and abducted by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival, where the terror group massacred 364 people.
Her family, who has advocated for her release, described her as “one of the funniest girls I know,” who is beloved by her friends and customers at the high-end Tel Aviv restaurant she waitresses at.Damari, a dual UK citizen, and Steinbrecher were both kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.Damari is the only British hostage still in captivity.Incoming-President Donald Trump, who has taken credit for the hostage exchange deal, celebrated the news of the women’s scheduled release earlier on Sunday.“Hostages starting to come out today! Three wonderful young women will be first,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Like with the hostages released since the Oct.7 terror attack, Gonen, Damari and Steinbrecher will receive a medical evaluation to assess their status after 15 months in captivity.
Following the medical care, the women will be reunited with their families ...