In the first release of hostages, Hamas freed three Israeli women: Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari.
As the much awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas begins, the Palestinian militant group has released three female Israeli hostages. Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher And Emily Damari were handed over to the Red Cross on January 19 by Hamas after being held captive for nearly 15 months. Here are the details about the hostages.
Romi, from Kfar Veradim in northern Israel, had traveled to the Nova festival in the Negev Desert in southern Israel when the attack occurred. Over 360 people were killed at the festival when Hamas militants crossed the border. Romi called her family during the attack, and her mother, Meirav, recalls hearing gunshots and shouting in Arabic during their final conversation. Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants while trying to flee.
Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was abducted from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, located near Gaza's north-western border. The community was heavily targeted during the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants.
Emily, a British-Israeli national, was also taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023. She was shot in the hand during the attack and taken into Gaza, where she witnessed the death of her dog. Her mother, Mandy Damari, was in a separate home on the kibbutz that day. She hid in a safe room, and a bullet hitting the door handle prevented the attackers from entering, ultimately saving her life.