Eitan Gonen, father of Romi Gonen, expressed his immense gratitude and relief on Sunday at the news of his daughter’s imminent return from captivity in Gaza. Romi, 24, was kidnapped by Hamas during the devastating October 7, 2023 attack on the Nova Music Festival and has been detained for more than 14 months.
“Baruch Atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech Ha’olam Shehecheyanu, Vekiymanu, Vehigi’anu Lazman Hazeh (Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gave us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this moment), “Eitan said in an interview with Kan 11. “Romi is coming home today. Today.”
איתן גונן, אביה של רומי, ל-@MichalRabi“: ” pic.twitter.com/0ikiObyUNG
– כאן חדשות (@kann_news) January 19, 2025
The family greeted the news with cautious optimism. “This is the moment we have been waiting for over 11,000 hours. Maybe in the next 24 hours we will finally kiss Romi,” he said. “I’m hesitant because we know who we’re dealing with, but the excitement is indescribable. It’s like waiting for a birth to finally take place.
Eitan’s analogy captures the joy and anticipation surrounding Romi’s return. “It’s a high like no other. Am Yisrael (the people of Israel) awaits Romi and the other hostages. We are on our way, with cars honking and people shouting mazal tov at us.”
A symbolic return
Romi’s release is part of a broader ceasefire agreement that has gripped the country. She was one of many young people at the Nova Music Festival when Hamas terrorists stormed the event, leaving devastation in their wake. Shot in the hand while trying to flee, Romi was forcibly taken to Gaza. His last words to his mother, Meirav, over the phone – “They shot me, Mom, and I’m bleeding” – haunted the nation.
During his captivity, sporadic updates on his condition surfaced. In November, a former hostage said her hand was seriously injured and her functions were limited. “His fingers barely moved and changed color,” the released hostage reported.
Eitan previously described Romi as “a magical girl, all heart, all love, a warrior for justice.” The family’s story has become a symbol of resilience and hope for all the families of the hostages, inspiring solidarity across Israel.
A piece frozen in time
As Romi’s return became more tangible, her family reflected on the long and agonizing wait. “We didn’t move anything in his room, we just cleaned,” Eitan said. “I want to see her already. We all do it. Hearing it, smelling it, breathing it. All. Like you would with a child you haven’t seen in so long.
Shahaf Gonen, Romi’s brother, also expressed the family’s emotions, sharing on Instagram: “Romi is on the list. Official. Good luck to all of us.
The anticipation surrounding his release is reminiscent of what happened on October 7, 2023. As Eitan said: “It’s an excitement like no other. It’s like giving birth to a new beginning.
Emilie Damari
Emily Damari, a 28-year-old Anglo-Israeli hostage, is released alongside Romi and Doron Steinbrecher.
A source close to the family told BBC News: “All Emily’s mum Mandy wants to do is hug Emily. But she won’t believe it until she sees it .”
“Until she was out and Mandy could actually see that she was out. It didn’t happen until it happened. It’s not done until it’s done. And there’s a long way to go,” the source said. “They have no idea of the state they are in and there are other hostages who need to be released and who need humanitarian assistance to stay alive. The road ahead is very long. ”
