Relief and joy in Israel as first captives freed by Gaza ceasefire return home

After 471 days in Hamas captivity, three Israeli women seized on 7 October 2023 were released on Sunday as a long-awaited ceasefire deal began.

Romi Gonen, 24, from Kfar Vradim, was abducted from the Nova party in Reem. Emily Damari, a 28-year-old with British citizenship, was taken from her home in Kfar Aza. Doron Steinbrecher, 31, was also seized from her home in the same kibbutz that lies on the boundary with the Gaza Strip.

The women were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza City, surrounded by Qassem Brigades fighters and inquisitive civilians. The Red Cross then transferred them to the Israeli military, who reunited them with their mothers.

Gonen's grandmother Deborah said after her release: "I always believed that she would come back, that's what I live for. I didn't understand why it happened so late.

“I was happy to see her walk on her feet, and as soon as I see her, I will give her a hug and a kiss,” she added. “Now everything must be done to bring back the rest of the hostages, my heart goes out to everyone."

Demari's family posted a photo of Emily smiling and happy with her mother. She lost two fingers during the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, her family said.

According to the truce agreement, the first phase, which will last six weeks, will involve the exchange of 33 Israeli captives and around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners and a return to "sustainable calm".

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