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Romi Gonen, Emily Tehila Damari and Doron Steinbrecher, the first hostages released by Hamas, ‘are home’

The three young women had been held by the terrorists since the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre.

Romi Gonen (I), Emily Tehila Damari (centro) y Doron Steinbrecher, las tres retenidas por Hamás en la Franja de Gaza desde los ataques del 7 de octubre de 2023 contra Israel.

Romi Gonen (left), Emily Tehila Damari (center) and Doron Steinbrecher (right).AFP

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"They're home," reads the post on X from the Israel Defense Forces confirming that Romi Gonen, Emily Tehila Damari and Doron Steinbrecher are in the hands of the Israeli military and on their way home.

For the time being, the plan foreseen by the military is being fulfilled. The terrorists are first supposed to leave the three hostages in the hands of the Red Cross, and this organization will hand them over to the IDF special forces inside the Gaza Strip. From there, the hostages will be taken to one of three military facilities set up near the border: one near Re'im, one near Kerem Shalom or one near Erez, for an initial check-up, and then to a hospital to be reunited with their families.

In addition, the military has prepared a plan, including road closures in the Gaza border area from early Sunday morning to protect the hostages' privacy during the release.

Romi Gonen

Romi Gonen was one of the Israelis captured by Hamas terrorists at the Nova Festival on Oct. 7, 2023. As revealed by her mother, Romi told her that she was injured in the attack and that three of her friends accompanying her were killed. In the biographical note provided to the Hostage Forum by the family, she was described as a young woman of "24 years old, lives in Kfar Vradim. She loves to dance, travel and enjoy life. Her friends and family describe her as energetic, fun, family-oriented and full of life. Romi has four siblings and two loving parents, Meirav and Eitan."

Emily Tehila Damari

With dual British and Israeli nationality, Damari was shot and injured during her abduction on Oct. 7, 2023. According to the biographical note published by her family through the Hostages and Missing Relatives Forum Damari is "a British citizen living in Kfar Aza. Her friends describe her as very well-liked and popular, friends with everyone. Emily enjoys barbecues and karaoke nights, and loves hats. She is a central figure in the local youth community in Kfar Aza and is always there for her friends." On Oct. 7 she was kidnapped along with her friends Gali and Ziv Berman, who remain captive, and Doron Steinbrecher.

Doron Steinbrecher

Steinbrecher's family described the young woman as, "a veterinary nurse who has cared for animals since she was a child, when she helped at the school petting zoo. She loves sports, especially running, and every Saturday she goes for an early morning run around the kibbutz."

"Her family describes her as a devoted aunt, especially loved by her nieces and nephews. Her parents are Roni and Simona, and she has a sister, Yamit, and a brother, Dor."

Damari and Steinbrecher lived in the "young generation" neighborhood of Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Of the 37 residents there at the time of the attack, 11 people were killed and seven were kidnapped and taken to the Strip.

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