Three young women held captive by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for nearly 16 months returned to Israeli territory Sunday evening, to the joy of their parents and other family members. IDF soldiers waited for Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28) and Doron Steinbracher (31) with an Israeli flag at the border to Israel.
The mothers of the three returned hostages were reunited with their daughters at the initial reception point, alongside the Head of the IDF Manpower Directorate, Major General Dado Bar Kalifa.
IDF officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials accompanied the three women during their initial medical assessment, as IDF representatives did the same with their families at the hospital, updating them with the latest available information.
After a period of time at the initial reception center, the three women were taken by helicopter to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer in Tel Aviv.
The initial reception facilities and their security were managed by the commander of the IDF military police, who was responsible for ensuring maximum privacy and a sterile space for the hostages upon their arrival. A joint advance command room was established in the complex ahead of time, where representatives of the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Ministry of Health, and the Israel Police operated.
A multidisciplinary team was also waiting at the complex with doctors, psychologists, mental health personnel, and escort and police officers. Personal bags with new clothes and their favorite foods were prepared in advance.
The kidnapped women stayed at the compound for about an hour, during which they were able to change their clothes, prepare themselves a little, and receive initial medical and psychological treatment. They and their mothers were then taken to Sheba, where the rest of their families were waiting and watching televised coverage of their progress.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement Sunday night that it is impossible to “imagine the horrors these three young women have endured in 15 months of Hamas captivity. Today, we salute and embrace them and their families as they reunite after so long.
“We must also remember the brave soldiers who risked their lives, and those who paid the ultimate price, to ensure that this moment was possible,” Hagari reminded. “We cannot and will not forget that 94 hostages – including women, children and elderly – remain in Hamas captivity.
“Our mission is not over until every single hostage comes home,” he said.
Nearly 16 months of hell on earth has finally ended for Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbracher. Thirty more hostages are expected to be freed in the next six weeks, although among them are those who are no longer among the living.
On Sunday, 90 terrorist prisoners were also freed, from Israel’s Ofer Prison, in accordance with the temporary ceasefire and hostage release deal signed by Israel and Hamas. The terrorists taken by the Red Cross to release points in Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem, where they were met with joyous celebrations.
Nearly 2,000 terrorists will ultimately be released from incarceration in Israel in exchange for the freed hostages, including more than 200 terrorists serving life sentences — some of them, multiple life sentences.
