In a significant development, three women held captive by Hamas for 15 months have been released as part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at reducing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The hostages, including Emily Damari, a joint British national, were reunited with their mothers in a heartwarming event that marked the first act of this ceasefire deal. The release took place on Sunday afternoon in Gaza, where the hostages were handed over to the International Committee for the Red Cross before being transported to Israel.
The three women—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—were abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and held in tunnels beneath Gaza. Their release is part of a complex three-phase hostage deal involving a total of 33 hostages. The women were described as "in good health" by the Red Cross to an Israeli official, despite the arduous conditions they endured. Notably, Emily Damari sustained injuries during her abduction, including the loss of two fingers from her hand.
"The three women hostages were officially handed over to the Red Cross at al-Saraya Square in the al-Rimal neighbourhood in western Gaza City," said a senior Hamas official.
The process of their liberation was meticulously organized. After their handover to the Red Cross, the hostages were first delivered to Israeli military forces. This critical transfer was confirmed in a joint statement by the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet domestic security agency.
"The three returns have now been transferred to the IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip," stated the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet.
Escorted by an elite unit of the IDF and Shin Bet, the hostages were flown to a hospital in Israel via helicopter, ensuring they received medical attention promptly. Their release was broadcast live on television by Al Jazeera, which showed the women arriving in a white minivan at a square in the Rimal district of Gaza City.
The ceasefire deal also entails Israel's commitment to release 90 Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank. This release includes 69 women and 21 teenage boys, according to statements from Hamas. The exchange marks an initial step towards easing tensions and possibly concluding years of conflict between the two parties.
"This occurred after a member of the Red Cross team met with them and ensured their wellbeing," added a senior Hamas official.
Israeli officials have indicated that any resurgence of Hamas control in Gaza will challenge the sustainability of this ceasefire. Israel has expressed readiness to resume military actions should Hamas fail to dismantle its militant operations fully. Thus, while this exchange represents a positive stride toward peace, it also underscores the fragility of ongoing negotiations.