Images of the release of Israeli hostages

For fifteen months, they were held prisoner by Hamas: Romi Gonen (24 years old), Emily Damari (28 years old) and Doron Steinbrecher (31 years old). These three women are now free, as evidenced by these moving images.

The atmosphere was electric on Sunday in Tel Aviv. Thousands of people gathered in the public square in front of the Museum of Fine Arts, renamed “Hotage Square” by residents after the October 7 attacks. It is here that relatives and families regularly pay tribute to those still detained by Hamas in the Gaza tunnels.

The crowd applauded with emotion when the faces of the young captive women appeared on the big screen, which broadcast live images of the Red Cross convoy carrying Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher. Upon arrival, the three hostages were handed over to the Israeli army and welcomed by their mothers.

It had been 471 days since these three women were forcibly taken to Gaza. They were returned to their families this Sunday, as part of the 42-day truce agreement, which provides for the release of 737 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023.

A liberation which took place under the eyes of a compact crowd, with hundreds of people gathered in a square in Gaza. The hostages, one by one, got out of a van and got into an ICRC vehicle, surrounded by hooded Hamas fighters.

In a propaganda video released by Hamas, it can be seen that “gift bags” were provided to the hostages. It would contain, among other things, photos of them during their captivity, as well as a map of the Gaza Strip and a “certificate” of their release. The prisoners had to pose before being handed over to the Red Cross.

For the families of the hostages, the relief is probably indescribable. It wasn’t until March 2024, after five months in captivity, that Emily Damari’s family learned she was still alive. It was their only sign of life until just a few days ago, when it was announced that she would be among the freed hostages.

Since Sunday evening, the three freed hostages have been taken care of in a hospital, where they are receiving medical care. Although the truce agreement provides for the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks, 57 others, presumed alive, remain captive in Gaza. In exchange, 1,904 prisoners are to be released by Israel, including many women and minors, a return also celebrated in Gaza.