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Dear A.,
"They are in our hands. They are coming home."
After surviving 471 days of unimaginable torment and trauma at the hands of genocidal Hamas terrorists, 23 year-old Romi Gonen, 28 year-old Emily Damari, and 31 year-old Doron Steinbrecher were freed from Hamas captivity and reunited with their families.
Packed crowds gathered in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square awaiting the news that all three women were alive, erupting in cheers and weeping at the first images of them emerging from a vehicle that was surrounded by a mob of Hamas terrorists.
In yet another display of Hamas' torture and barbarism, the mass of terrorists shouted at the women and raised guns in the air as they were shoved into the Red Cross vehicles that drove them to the IDF.
Family members of the three hostages
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rejoiced together as they watched Emily, Romi, and Doron transferred to Israeli custody. Watch the video below.
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"This is a day of joy and comfort, and the beginning of a challenging journey of recovery and healing together," Israeli President Isaac Herzog said.
This deal is possible because of the heroic Israeli soldiers who have fought courageously to degrade and destroy terrorists on its borders, and thanks to the strong American support for our ally throughout this war.
The ceasefire took effect this morning at 11:15 a.m., nearly two hours late after Hamas delayed providing the list of the hostages it was releasing today. Israel declared that the ceasefire would not be implemented until receiving the list, and struck numerous Hamas terror targets in Gaza including convoys of terrorists that had begun parading throughout the Strip.
94 hostages, including 7 Americans, remain in the clutches of Hamas in Gaza.
According to the agreement, Hamas must release another four hostages next weekend.
🎗️ Romi was abducted from the Nova Music Festival after being shot by the invading Hamas terrorists while she was on the phone with her mother. Her final words before being taken were, “They shot me, Mom, and I’m bleeding. Everyone in the car is bleeding.”
Friends and family describe Romi as energetic, funny, family-oriented, and full of life. She has four siblings and two loving parents, Meirav and Eitan.
🎗️ Emily was abducted from her Kfar Aza apartment on October 7. Terrorists shot her hand and murdered her dog, Chooka, before taking her hostage in her own car. Emily's friends describe her as well-loved, popular, and a friend to everyone. She is a central figure in the local Kfar Aza youth community.
🎗️ Doron was abducted by Hamas terrorists from her home in Kfar Aza, where she was hiding under her bed. Doron is a veterinary nurse who loves sports and going for early morning runs around her kibbutz every Saturday. Her family describes her as a devoted aunt who is loved by her nephews. Her parents are Roni and Simona, and she has one sister, Yamit and one brother, Dor.
The IDF also
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announced this morning that it successfully carried out a covert operation in Gaza to recover the body of fallen IDF soldier Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, who fell in combat in 2014 during Operation Protective Edge. His body was held hostage by Hamas for over a decade.
The days ahead will be painful and uncertain. But today, we rejoice with the people of Israel that Romi, Emily, and Doron are finally free.
"At this moment, our hearts are with all the anxious and grieving families whose loved ones have not yet returned," President Herzog said.
"We will not rest or be silent until we bring back all our sisters and brothers from the hell of captivity in Gaza – the living to their families, and the fallen and murdered to be laid to rest in dignity."
We will continue to provide real-time updates on
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our social media feeds .
Am Yisrael Chai!
Cory Meyer
Director of Communications
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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