Unveiling the Journey: Meet the Three Israeli Hostages Freed by Hamas

A youthful woman, described as “most joyful when she dances,” is one of three Israeli females freed after 471 days held captive by Hamas.

Romi Gonen, 24, was seized while attempting to flee the Nova music festival when it was struck by the militant organization during the attack on 7 October 2023.

She has been released alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who possesses dual British-Israeli citizenship.

The trio returned to Israel on Sunday after being freed by Hamas in Gaza and were emotionally reunited with their families.

Their release is part of the initial phase of the truce and hostage liberation agreement between Israel and Hamas, which commenced on Sunday. A total of 33 hostages are set to be released over the next six weeks.

Romi had journeyed from her residence in Kfar Veradim, northern Israel, to the Nova festival, which took place in the Negev Desert in the south.

Over 360 individuals lost their lives at the festival when Hamas combatants crossed the border, 2km (1.3 miles) to the west. The desert scenery left little cover for attendees, while escape routes were obstructed by armed assailants.

As sirens wailed during the assault, Romi contacted her family. Her mother, Meirav, recalled hearing gunfire and shouts in Arabic during her last interaction with her daughter.

Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants while attempting to escape.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum noted that Romi had attended the festival “to pursue her passion, to dance” – something she devoted 12 years to studying, performing solo acts, and becoming an “incredible choreographer”.

A video shared by the families’ forum last November portrayed her as “the girl with the largest smile, the brightest light, the greatest companion”.

The forum further stated that Romi’s bedroom at her home “remains just as it was when she departed,” awaiting her return.

In a video snippet released by the Israeli military, Romi’s father was observed leaping with joy before collapsing in tears as he viewed footage of his daughter’s release on Sunday.

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was taken from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza – located near Gaza’s northwestern boundary – during the Hamas assault.

The community, one among several Israeli settlements along the border, was severely targeted by armed militants throughout the attacks on 7 October.

Israeli authorities reported that Hamas set homes ablaze and murdered civilians, including entire families, in addition to kidnapping hostages.

As the offensive commenced, Doron reached out to her family and acquaintances via WhatsApp to inform them that she was hiding beneath the bed as militants approached, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

In her last audio message, she was heard crying out, “they’ve captured me,” as shouting and shooting rang out in the background.

Doron’s family received no information regarding her status for almost four months.

“After an excruciating 471 days, our dearest Dodo has finally returned to our embrace,” her family conveyed in a statement issued by the missing families forum on Sunday.

They continued: “We wish to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who stood by and supported us throughout this ordeal.”

She pursued studies in theatre and film at school, developing a passion for animals that led her to become a veterinary nurse.

Emily, a 28-year-old British-Israeli citizen, was also captured from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October 2023.

She received a gunshot wound to her hand and was transported into Gaza from her residence during the assault, witnessing her dog being shot and killed as well. Images following her liberation depicted Emily with a bandaged hand and two fingers missing due to that incident.

Her mother, Mandy Damari, was also present in the kibbutz at her own residence on 7 October. Mrs. Damari concealed herself in the safe room, saved by a bullet striking the door handle, preventing the assailants from entering.

While the attack transpired, Emily sent her mother a text featuring a solitary heart emoji – this was their last communication.

Heartwarming images depicted Emily reunited with her mother in Israel on Sunday, embracing each other while on a video call with her brother.

“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who relentlessly fought for Emily during this terrible ordeal, and who kept her name alive,” Mrs. Damari stated.

“In Israel, Britain, the United States, and across the globe. Thank you for bringing Emily back home.”

Mrs. Damari was born and raised in the UK, where she met her spouse while on vacation in Israel at the age of 20.

Emily, being the youngest of four siblings, has deep ties to the UK – she is an ardent Tottenham Hotspur supporter and frequently traveled to visit family.

Before the truce, Israel announced that 94 hostages were still unaccounted for, but believed only 60 to still be alive.

Following the three released on Sunday, an additional 30 Israeli hostages are expected to be freed during the initial phase of the ceasefire arrangement. Israel’s prime minister has stated that most of the 30 are alive.

They have been identified by Israel as:

Karina Ariev, 20; Itzik Elgarat, 69; Liri Albag, 19; Daniela Gilboa, 20; Agam Berger, 20; Ohad Ben Ami, 55; Arbel Yahud, 29; Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 29; Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36; Omer Wenkert, 23; Yair Horn, 46; Oded Lifshitz, 84; Naama Levy, 20; Or Levy, 34; Eliya Cohen, 27; Ohad Yahalomi, 50; Tsachi Idan, 50; Keith Siegel, 65; Shlomo Mansour, 86; Gadi Moses, 80; Eli Sharabi, 52; Omer Shem Tov, 22; Tal Shoham, 39; Ofer Kalderon, 53; Yarden Bibas, 34; Shiri Bibas, 33; Ariel Bibas; Kfir Bibas.

The list additionally features two individuals Hisham al-Sayed, 35, and Avera Mengistu, 27, who were captured by Hamas after infiltrating Gaza from Israel prior to the conflict.