Who are the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas?

 

From left to right: Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen.

A young woman described as "at her happiest when she dances" is among the three Israeli women set to be released after spending 471 days as hostages of Hamas.

Romi Gonen, 24, was captured by the militant group while attempting to flee the Nova festival during the attack on 7 October 2023.

She is expected to be released alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who holds dual British-Israeli citizenship.

Their release marks the first phase of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. A delay in providing Israel with the three names—attributed by Hamas to "technical field reasons"—postponed the ceasefire by nearly three hours.

Romi Gonen

Romi alongside her grandmother, Dvora Lesham

Romi had traveled from her home in Kfar Veradim, located in northern Israel, to attend the Nova festival.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing her family, stated that she went there "to do what she loved, to dance." Romi had studied dance for 12 years, excelling in solo performances and becoming an "amazing choreographer."

As the Hamas attack began and sirens blared, Romi called her family. Her mother, Meirav, recounted hearing gunfire and shouting in Arabic during their final call.

While attempting to escape the festival, Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants.

A video shared by the families' forum last November described her as "the girl with the biggest smile, the brightest light, the greatest friend."

Doron Steinbrecher

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was abducted from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Hamas attack.

In May 2024, her sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, wrote a heartfelt letter through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, calling Doron "my sunshine."

"I wish you could feel the energy we send to you," the letter read.
"I wish you were aware of, at least, some of the battle we are fighting here for your release. I wish you could feel it all. Loving you, longing for you, heartbroken, yet still fighting for you."

In an earlier tribute, Doron was described as "the glue that connects all her friends, sensitive and funny, always smiling and the first to offer help."

Doron studied theatre and film in school but later discovered a passion for animals, which led her to become a veterinary nurse.

Speaking to the BBC in November 2023, her sister Yamit revealed she had gotten a new tattoo with the words: "As the sun we will rise again," though some of the sun's rays were intentionally missing.

"They will be added when she is home," Yamit explained.

Emily Damari

Emily, a 28-year-old with dual British-Israeli nationality, was taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the 7 October attack.

As news of her impending release emerged on Sunday, a source close to her family described the ordeal as "471 torturous days, but an especially torturous 24 hours."

"All Emily's mum, Mandy, wants to do is hug Emily. But she won’t believe it until she sees it," the source shared.

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Emily has strong ties to the UK, where she is a devoted Tottenham Hotspur fan. She frequently visited to see relatives, attend concerts, go shopping, and enjoy trips to the pub.

Her mother, Mandy Damari, previously told the BBC, "Emily is the core of our family, and the core is missing."

"I love her to the moon and back. She is a special person," Mandy added.