The first three Israeli hostages released under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement have safely returned home after enduring 471 harrowing days in captivity. The women, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, were handed over to the Red Cross amidst a crowd in Gaza before being transported to Israel. Remarkably, all three women appeared able to stand and walk on their own in footage of the transfer.
Brought back to the surface after 15 months held by monsters in dungeons. Welcome back, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher. They should never know any more misery. Their tormentors will all pay. pic.twitter.com/tT8yUKYRTV
— Saul Sadka (@Saul_Sadka) January 19, 2025
After undergoing initial medical evaluations, the women were reunited with their mothers at a reception complex near Kibbutz Re’im before meeting their extended families at a hospital. The release marked a significant moment in the ceasefire, which began at 11:15 a.m., following delays caused by Hamas’s failure to provide a timely list of hostages.
The circumstances of their capture underscore the horrors faced during Hamas’s attack on October 7. Steinbrecher, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse with Romanian citizenship, was abducted from her home in Kfar Aza after hiding under her bed. Her final voice message to loved ones, “they’ve got me, they’ve got me,” is a haunting reminder of the ordeal. Damari, 28, who also holds British citizenship, was shot, injured by shrapnel, and blindfolded before being taken to Gaza. Her dog, Choocha, was tragically shot in the back of the neck during the attack. Gonen, 24, was abducted after being shot at the Nova music festival, where hundreds of others were killed or kidnapped.
President Joe Biden addressed the release of the hostages, attempting to claim credit despite criticism of his administration’s inability to secure a deal over the past year. The incoming Trump administration played a pivotal role in finalizing the agreement, highlighting the stark contrast in diplomatic strategies.
This initial exchange involved the release of 33 hostages in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, with the Israel Defense Forces also agreeing to pull back from certain areas in Gaza. The deal, however, leaves questions about the remaining 64 hostages still in Gaza. Among those expected to be released in later phases are two Americans, Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen. The grim reality remains that only 22 of the 33 hostages scheduled for release are believed to still be alive.
As the first wave of hostages returns home, the agreement underscores the ongoing complexities of securing peace and justice in the region. The contrast between Biden’s delayed efforts and Trump’s effective negotiations reflects the importance of strong, decisive leadership in addressing international crises.
