Romi, Emily and Doron, hostages of Hamas for 470 days, are preparing to find freedom. But at what cost? Discover their incredible journey and the challenges that await them…
470 days. This is the time that Romi Gonen, 24 years old, Emily Damari, 28 years old, and Doron Shtanbar Khair, 31 years old, will have spent in the hands of their Hamas captors. Kidnapped on October 7, 2023 during the massacre which cost the lives of 1,210 Israelis, these three young women are finally preparing to regain freedom this Sunday, January 19, as part of a truce agreement between the Hebrew State and the Islamist movement. But at what cost?
The horror of a rude awakening
According to sources close to the case, the kidnapping of Romi, Emily and Doron took place with unprecedented violence. Startled awake by heavily armed terrorists, they were torn from their homes, from their lives, in the space of a few minutes. The start of a journey that lasted more than 15 months, punctuated by fear, uncertainty and despair.
“The first 28 hours were the worst,” confides a relative of one of the hostages. “Not knowing if they were still alive, imagining what they could go through… It was a waking nightmare. »
470 days of anguish
During these long months of captivity, the families of the hostages lived to the rhythm of negotiations, oscillating between hope and despair. Each day brought its share of unanswered questions: Are they handled well? Do they have access to food and healthcare? Does Hamas use psychological torture?
Despite some trickle-down evidence of life, uncertainty remained the rule. An untenable situation for those close to them, as the sister of one of the captives testifies:
“It’s as if our life stopped on October 7th. Not a day goes by without us thinking about her, without praying for her return. But the wait, the absence of news… It’s permanent mental torture. »
The difficult road to reconstruction
If the release of Romi, Emily and Doron is a huge victoryit also marks the beginning of a long healing process. According to experts, the psychological aftereffects of such trauma can be devastating:
-- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety attacks and phobias
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Difficulties readjusting to a “normal” life
To overcome these obstacles, long-term psychological support will be essential. But the road will be long and strewn with pitfalls, as this psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of victims explains:
“It takes time to rebuild after such trauma. The flashbacks, the crises… They don’t disappear overnight. We have to relearn how to live, how to trust. It is a long-term job that requires a lot of courage and resilience. »
United in adversity
Beyond the hostages and their families, it is all of Israeli society which bears the scars of this tragedy. With 1,210 dead and 251 people kidnapped, the massacre of October 7, 2023 will forever be remembered as one of the bloodiest in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
But from this ordeal was also born a tremendous surge of solidarity. Across the country, initiatives have emerged to support victims and their loved ones. Collections, discussion groups, silent marches… The Israelis were able to stand together, united in pain and hope.
“This tragedy reminded us that life is precious, that it can change in an instant,” confides a survivor. “But it also revealed the best in us: our ability to stick together, to move forward despite adversity. »
An uncertain future
Despite the historic truce that is coming, the future remains uncertain for Israel and Palestine. The wounds are deep, the resentments stubborn. It will take time, will and a lot of dialogue to build lasting peace.
But on this day of liberation, it is first of all time for reunion and emotion. For Romi, Emily, Doron and their families, a new page is about to be written. A page of hope, despite the trials. Because after the hell they experienced, these young women are determined to rebuild themselves and regain a taste for life. With strength, courage and determination. The whole portrait of these modern-day heroines.
