First three Israeli hostages released as part of Gaza ceasefire

Three hostages were released during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. The hostages, all women, were freed on Sunday by the Red Cross in Gaza and transferred to Israeli forces, who took them to meet their mothers, the Israeli army said.

Around 100 hostages, living and dead, are believed to remain held in Gaza, most of them captured during Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Thirty-three of them They will be released during an initial period of six months. One-week phase of the ceasefire, including female soldiers and civilians, children, men over 50 and the sick and wounded, according to the agreement.

Here is what we know about the three hostages released on Sunday:

Romi Gonen

Ms. Gonen was 23 when she was captured while trying to leave the Nova music festival in southern Israel when Hamas attacked. She was speaking at the time to her mother, Meirav Gonen, who said she had been shot and was bleeding.

Last February, Meirav Gonen released a recording of his last phone call with his daughter. She told Israeli media that Romi was a strong and happy person who often went to raves.

In the first weeks of the war, his mother worried that Israeli military operations in Gaza might endanger the hostages.