Who’re the three Israeli hostages being launched?

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

Romi Gonen, 24, was captured as she tried to flee the Nova music pageant 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.

It was confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the three hostages had been handed over to the Purple Cross by Hamas in Gaza.

Their launch kinds 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 pageant, which happened within the Negev Desert within the south.

Greater than 360 individuals had been killed on the pageant 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 referred to as her household. Her mom, Meirav, recalled listening to pictures and shouting in Arabic within the remaining name along with her daughter.

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

In June, her mom addressed the UN Human Rights council to attraction for worldwide assist to launch the hostages.

The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board stated she had gone to the pageant “to do what she beloved, to bounce” – one thing she had studied for 12 years, starring in solo performances and turning 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 mild, 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.

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

The group, one among many Israeli villages alongside the border, was closely focused by armed militants through the 7 October assaults.

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

When the assault started, Doron contacted her household and associates by way of WhatsApp to say she was hiding below 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.

In Might final yr, her sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, wrote an emotional letter by the lacking households discussion board, calling her “my sunshine”.

“I want you may really feel the power we ship to you,” it learn.

And in an earlier submit, Doron was described as “the glue that connects all her associates, delicate and humorous, at all times smiling and the primary to supply assist”.

She studied theatre and movie in class, and developed a love for animals that led to her turning into a veterinary nurse.

Chatting with the BBC in November 2023, Doron’s sister Yamit spoke of a brand new tattoo. It learn: “Because the solar we are going to rise once more”, however had a number of the solar’s rays lacking.

“They are going to be added when she is house,” she added.

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 through the assault, and likewise noticed her canine shot and killed.

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 unimaginable 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.

In December, Mrs Damari informed the BBC how involved she was concerning the situations her daughter was going through. Sunday was the primary time they obtained details about Emily since March.

As information of her launch got here, a supply near her household stated that it had been a “torturous 471 days however a very torturous 24 hours”.

“All Emily’s mum Mandy needs to do is hug Emily. However she will not consider it till she sees it,” the supply stated.

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 robust connections with the UK – she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and would typically go to to see kinfolk, attend concert events, buy groceries and go to the pub right here.

Mrs Damari beforehand informed the BBC that Emily is “the core of our household and the core is lacking”.

“I like her to the moon and again, she is a particular individual,” she added.

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

Following the three on Sunday, one other 30 Israeli hostages are as a result of be launched all through the primary part of the ceasefire deal. Israel’s prime minister has stated a lot 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 record 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.