Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv on Sunday was filled with hope and joy as three Israeli hostages, who had been held by Hamas, were reunited with their families. This marked the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The hostages—Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari—were handed over to Red Cross officials by armed men wearing camouflaged military gear and green Hamas headbands.
The three women had been held captive by Hamas since its October 7, 2023, attack, which left at least 1,200 people dead. In exchange for their release, 90 Palestinian prisoners were freed. Videos and photos shared by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed the women, wrapped in Israeli flags, embracing their families at a reception centre. One of the hostages, who was missing two fingers, waved to her family on a video call.
First photographs from the emotional meetings between the returnees and their families at the reception points in Israel. pic.twitter.com/98MPwh0zNX
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 19, 2025
Families celebrate hostages’ return
The families of the released hostages expressed overwhelming emotion. They shared their relief after a year of not knowing their loved ones’ fate. “We didn’t hear from her for an entire year, and now we finally see her walking on her own feet. We can’t wait to hug her and tell her how much we love her,” one family member said. Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke warmly about the women’s return. He said, “I want you to tell them: Romi, Doron, and Emily, the entire nation is embracing you. Welcome home.”
Welcome home! 🫂🇮🇱
Video of the emotional meetings between Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher with their families at Sheba Medical Center. pic.twitter.com/CJYdJXiaSX
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 19, 2025
As the hostages were welcomed back, thousands of people gathered in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, some crying and cheering, as a large screen showed the emotional reunion. Music and patriotic songs added to the celebration. In Gaza, celebrations were also underway as buses carrying the Palestinian prisoners arrived in Ramallah on the West Bank, with massive fireworks marking the occasion.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began on Sunday after a delay of nearly three hours, has ended more than 15 months of conflict that resulted in over 47,000 casualties. The second phase of the ceasefire negotiations is expected to begin by the 16th day of phase one and may involve the release of an extra 94 hostages. The final stage of the agreement is expected to include the return of all remaining bodies.
