Hamas says will release hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher today
The three civilian women were taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas onslaught in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped to Gaza.
Relatives of 3 hostages set to be released express joy: Her mom just wants to hug her
Relatives of Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher — the three Israeli hostages set to be released later today — express their joy that their loved ones are coming home, but say there’s a “long road ahead.”
Eitan Gonen tells the Kan public broadcaster that while Israeli officials have not provided information on his daughter’s condition, “Romi is finally coming home, alive, there is nothing more joyful than that.”
A source close to the Damari family tells the BBC that it has been a “torturous 471 days but a particularly torturous 24 hours.”
“All Emily’s mum Mandy wants to do is hug Emily. But she won’t believe it until she sees it,” the source tells the British broadcaster.
“Until she’s out and Mandy can actually see that she’s out. It hasn’t happened until it happens. It’s not done until it’s done. And there’s a long road ahead,” the source says.
Michal Mayo, a cousin of Doron Steinbrecher, breaks down in tears during an interview with the Kan public broadcaster as the host tells her that the release of Doron later in the day has been made public.
“How good that she is coming home,” Mayo says.
IDF says doesn’t know when 3 hostages will be released today, but is ready to receive them
Gal Hirsch, the government’s point person on the return of the hostages, has updated the families of the three female hostages expected to be returned to Israel today, the PMO says.
The military does not know yet when hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher will be released from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip today, but says it is already prepared to receive them.
Hamas is expected to hand over the three female hostages to the Red Cross, which will then hand them over to IDF special forces inside the Gaza Strip.
From there, the hostages will be taken to one of three army facilities established near the border — one near Re’im, one near Kerem Shalom, and one near Erez — for an initial checkup, and then to a hospital to meet with their families.
The military believes the three hostages will be released today from central Gaza, meaning they will be taken to the Re’im facility, though nothing is certain.
The IDF has closed off routes in the Gaza border area this morning to protect the hostages’ privacy during the release.
Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher confirmed as other two hostages to be freed today
Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher are named as two of the hostages set to be freed by Hamas later today.
The families have confirmed that the two women are expected to be released today.
Earlier, the family of Romi Gonen said that she was on the list of three civilian women who were due to be released by the terror group.
Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher are named as two of the hostages set to be freed by Hamas later today.
The families have confirmed that the two women are expected to be released today.
Earlier, the family of Romi Gonen said that she was on the list of three civilian women who were due to be released by the terror group.
Damari, a dual UK citizen, and Steinbrecher were both taken hostage from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023. Damari was shot and injured by terrorists.
Damari and Steinbrecher lived in the kibbutz’s “young generation” neighborhood — out of the 37 residents there, 11 people were murdered and seven were kidnapped and taken to the Strip.
Romi Gonen named as one of three hostages set to be released by Hamas today
Romi Gonen is named as one of the three hostages slated to be released by the Hamas terror group today.
In a post to his Instagram account, Romi’s brother Shahaf writes that she “is on the list. It’s official. Good luck to us all.”
Gonen, 24, was taken hostage from the Nova festival on October 7, 2023.
In a call to her mother, she said she had been shot during the devastating attack by Hamas terrorists. Three of her friends who were with her that day were murdered.
A biographical note issued by her family via the Hostages and Missing Families Forum describes her as follows: “24 years old, lives in Kfar Vradim. She loves dancing, traveling, and enjoying life. Friends and family describe her as energetic, funny, family-oriented, and full of life.”
It adds: “Romi has four siblings and two loving parents, Meirav and Eitan.”
Hamas names the three women civilian hostages it will release today
The Hamas terror group says in a statement that it will be releasing hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher today.
The three civilian women were taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas onslaught in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 kidnapped to Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirms that Israel has officially received the list of hostages who are slated to be released today.
The PMO says that the security establishment is currently “checking the details.”
THE TIME OF ISRAEL
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