JERUSALEM — On Sunday, a significant event unfolded as three hostages who had been held captive by Hamas for 471 days were released. This release formed part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, which includes a gradual plan to release more captives over the next few weeks.
While this temporary truce and the return of hostages have generated hope among many Israelis, there remains an undercurrent of anxiety. Concerns loom over the possibility that the multi-phase agreement may fail before all the captives are returned, or that their health may be in poor condition. There are also fears that the number of hostages who have perished could be higher than initially estimated.
The situation escalated following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in around 250 individuals being taken hostage, triggering a prolonged conflict that has lasted 15 months. With this release, nearly 100 hostages still remain in Gaza, while others have been freed, rescued, or their remains returned to their families.
In another significant development, hours prior to the ceasefire, Israel announced that it had secured the remains of Oron Shaul, a soldier killed during the 2014 conflict, whose body had been held by the militants since that time.
The three hostages released on Sunday included Romi Gonen, aged 24, who was abducted from the Nova music festival on the day of Hamas’s attack. Gonen’s mother, Merav, recounted agonizing details of their last conversation during the chaos, where Romi expressed fear for her life and listed injuries inflicted by the attackers. Throughout the past 15 months, Merav has passionately campaigned for the return of hostages, appearing on news programs and traveling to mobilize support. “We are doing everything we can so the world will not forget,” she remarked, expressing the daily struggle to remain hopeful.
Another released hostage, Emily Damari, 28, holds dual British-Israeli citizenship and was taken from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a locality heavily impacted by the assault. Her mother, Mandy, described Emily as someone who brought people together through her love of music and social gatherings. Despite her fears, Mandy clings to hope for her daughter’s survival amidst the suffering.
Doron Steinbrecher, the third hostage, is a 31-year-old veterinary nurse who also lived in Kibbutz Kfar Aza and shared a sense of community with Damari. In a distressing phone call to her mother during the attack, she expressed her fear and reported hiding under her bed as militants attempted to enter their home. Her family later received hope mixed with dread when a video featuring Doron emerged, showing her looking unwell but confirming she was alive.
In total, the October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 64 individuals, including 22 soldiers, with many from Kibbutz Kfar Aza still unaccounted for. As the situation unfolds, three more members of the kibbutz remain captives in Gaza, highlighting the profound impact this conflict continues to have on families and communities in the region.
The remains of Oron Shaul, a soldier who lost his life during conflict in 2014, were part of ongoing efforts to secure the return of Israeli soldiers’ bodies held by Hamas. The families of hostages have emphasized the significance of this issue, making it a pivotal part of their advocacy as they work through the emotional and logistical strains of the crisis.
