Israeli authorities have officially confirmed that the three young women held hostage by Hamas for nearly 16 months were transferred from the Red Cross to IDF and Shin Bet forces at 5:38 pm and began their journey to Israeli territory. Nearly 16 months of hell on earth is ending for Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28) and Doron Steinbracher (31).
The Red Cross informed Israeli authorities that all three women were in “good” condition.
A huge mob of Hamas Nukhba commandos and their supporters was awaiting the arrival of the hostages, intending to prolong their misery as much as possible, even as they were transferred from Hamas to the custody of the Red Cross.
The international organization brought the hostages to a transfer point in central Gaza, where they were handed over to Israeli forces, who are taking them to a special reception complex set up along the border at the IDF’s Re’im base, where they will meet their mothers.
Israeli Air Force helicopters were specially prepared for the process of receiving the hostages before departing for their rendezvous, the IDF said.
The initial reception facilities and their security are being managed by the commander of the IDF military police, who is responsible for ensuring maximum privacy and a sterile space for the hostages upon their arrival in Israel.
Joint front command rooms were established in each of the three complexes prepared ahead of time, where representatives of the IDF, the Shin Bet, the Ministry of Health, and the Israel Police operate.
A multidisciplinary team is waiting at the complex with doctors, psychologists, mental health personnel, and escort and police officers.
The kidnapped women will stay in the compound for about an hour, during which they will be able to change clothes, prepare themselves a little, and receive initial medical and psychological treatment.
Personal bags with new clothes and their favorite foods have been prepared in advance, and initial contact (phone) with the families will be possible depending on their situation.
From the initial reception complex, the three young women will be transferred to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hasomer in Tel Aviv for further medical and mental health care, and where they will meet with the rest of their families.
The transfer was set to take place at 4 pm but came a bit later, starting seven and a half hours after the ceasefire was to take effect: it was delayed by three hours, due to psychological warfare by Hamas.
The terrorist organization did not transfer the names of the three hostages to be freed until several hours after the ceasefire was to begin, in violation of the agreement. Under the terms of the deal, Hamas is to provide a list of the hostages to be freed 24 hours in advance.
