More cheering followed when it was confirmed by Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari that the three women — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher — were back in Israel and finally free after 471 days as captives in Gaza.
A video later released by the Israeli military showed families of the three screaming, jumping for joy and crying as they watched their relatives returning home.
In Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog had opted to head to the Old City’s Western Wall to pray for the three. The ancient retaining wall stands beneath the holiest place in Judaism, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.
The Hostages and Families Forum said: “Their return today represents a beacon of light in the darkness, a moment of hope and triumph of the human spirit. For their families and for all of us, this is a moment that will be forever etched in our memory.”
“Their return reminds us of our profound responsibility to continue working towards the release of everyone — until the last hostage returns home.”
It continues to tick for the 91 still captive in the Palestinian territory.
© 2025 AFP
