Who are the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas?

A younger lady described as “at her happiest when she dances” is amongst three Israeli girls launched after 471 days held hostage by Hamas.

Romi Gonen, 24, was captured as she tried to flee the Nova music competition when it was focused by the militant group as a part of the 7 October 2023 assault.

She has been freed alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who holds twin British-Israeli nationality.

All three arrived again in Israel on Sunday after being launched by Hamas in Gaza, and had been emotionally reunited with their households.

Their launch types a part of the primary part of the ceasefire and hostage launch deal between Israel and Hamas, which started on Sunday. A complete of 33 hostages are to be freed over the subsequent six weeks.

Romi had travelled from her house in Kfar Veradim, northern Israel, to the Nova competition, which befell within the Negev Desert within the south.

Greater than 360 folks had been killed on the competition when Hamas fighters crossed over the border, 2km (1.3 miles) to the west. The desert panorama provided partygoers restricted cowl and exit routes had been blocked by gunmen.

When sirens sounded because the assault unfolded, Romi known as her household. Her mom, Meirav, recalled listening to photographs and shouting in Arabic within the remaining name along with her daughter.

Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants as she tried to flee.

The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board stated Romi had gone to the competition “to do what she beloved, to bounce” – one thing she had studied for 12 years, starring in solo performances and changing into an “superb choreographer”.

A video posted by the households’ discussion board final November described her as “the lady with the largest smile, the brightest gentle, the best pal”.

The discussion board additionally stated that Romi’s bed room at her house “stays precisely because it was when she left”, awaiting her return.

In a video clip shared by the Israeli army, Romi’s father was seen leaping within the air earlier than breaking down in tears as he watched footage of his daughter’s launch on Sunday.

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was kidnapped from her condo in Kibbutz Kfar Aza – close to Gaza’s north-western border – when Hamas attacked.

The neighborhood, one among many Israeli villages alongside the border, was closely focused by armed militants in the course of the 7 October assaults.

Israeli officers stated Hamas burned houses and killed civilians, together with entire households, in addition to taking hostages.

When the assault started, Doron contacted her household and pals by way of WhatsApp to say she was hiding underneath the mattress as militants superior, the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board stated.

In her final voice message, she was heard screaming “they’ve caught me” as shouting and gunfire sounded within the background.

Doron’s household obtained no details about her whereabouts for almost 4 months.

“After an insufferable 471 days, our beloved Dodo has lastly returned to our arms,” her household stated in an announcement launched by the lacking households discussion board on Sunday.

They added: “We wish to categorical our heartfelt gratitude to everybody who supported and accompanied us alongside this journey.”

She studied theatre and movie at school, and developed a love for animals that led to her changing into a veterinary nurse.

Emily, a 28-year-old British-Israeli nationwide, was additionally taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October 2023.

She was shot within the hand and brought into Gaza from her house in the course of the assault, and likewise noticed her canine shot and killed. Images after her launch confirmed Emily with a bandaged hand and two lacking fingers from that assault.

Her mom, Mandy Damari, was additionally within the kibbutz in her separate house on 7 October. Mrs Damari hid within the protected room and was saved by a bullet hitting the door deal with, making it unattainable for attackers to get in.

Because the assault unfolded, Emily despatched her mom a textual content message containing a single coronary heart emoji – that was the final contact they’d.

Emotional photographs showed Emily reunited with her mother in Israel on Sunday, hugging whereas on a video name along with her brother.

“I wish to thank everybody who by no means stopped preventing for Emily all through this horrendous ordeal, and who by no means stopped saying her identify,” Mrs Damari stated.

“In Israel, Britain, the US, and around the globe. Thanks for bringing Emily house.”

Mrs Damari was born and raised within the UK, and met her husband on a vacation in Israel aged 20.

Emily, the youngest of 4 youngsters, has sturdy connections with the UK – she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and would typically go to to see relations.

Previous to the ceasefire, Israel stated 94 hostages remained unaccounted for however it believed solely 60 to be nonetheless alive.

Following the three on Sunday, one other 30 Israeli hostages are attributable to be launched all through the primary part of the ceasefire deal. Israel’s prime minister has stated many of the 30 are alive.

They’ve been named 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 checklist additionally consists of two males Hisham al-Sayed, 35, and Avera Mengistu, 27, who had been captured by Hamas after crossing into Gaza from Israel earlier than the battle.