Who are the three Israeli hostages released by Hamas?

A young woman described as “happiest when she dances” is one of three Israeli women released after 471 days of detention by Hamas.

Romi Gonen, 24, was captured while trying to escape from the Nova music festival when it was targeted by the militant group in the October 7, 2023 attack.

She was released alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who has dual British and Israeli nationality.

All three returned to Israel on Sunday after being released by Hamas in Gaza and were emotionally reunited with their families.

Their release is part of the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas, which began on Sunday. A total of 33 hostages are to be released over the next six weeks.

Romi had traveled from his home in Kfar Veradim, in northern Israel, to the Nova festival, which took place in the Negev desert in the south.

More than 360 people were killed at the festival when Hamas fighters crossed the border, 2 kilometers to the west. The desert landscape offered revelers limited cover and exit routes were blocked by armed men.

When sirens sounded during the attack, Romi called her family. Her mother, Meirav, remembers hearing gunshots and screaming in Arabic during the last call with her daughter.

Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants while trying to flee.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said Romi went to the festival “to do what she loved, dancing” – something she had studied for 12 years, performing in solo performances and becoming an “incredible choreographer “.

A video posted by the families forum last November described her as “the girl with the biggest smile, the brightest light, the greatest friend.”

The forum also noted that Romi’s room at home “remains exactly as it was when she left,” awaiting her return.

In a video clip shared by the Israeli military, Romi’s father was seen jumping in the air before breaking down in tears as he watched footage of his daughter’s release on Sunday.

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was kidnapped from her apartment on Kibbutz Kfar Aza – near Gaza’s northwest border – during a Hamas attack.

The community, one of several Israeli villages along the border, was heavily targeted by armed militants during the October 7 attacks.

Israeli officials said Hamas burned homes and killed civilians, including entire families, and took hostages.

When the assault began, Doron contacted family and friends via WhatsApp to tell them she was hiding under the bed as the militants advanced, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

In his final voicemail, he was heard shouting “they got me” as screams and gunshots echoed in the background.

Doron’s family received no information about her whereabouts for almost four months.

“After 471 unbearable days, our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms,” his family said in a statement published Sunday by the Missing Families Forum.

They added: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported and accompanied us throughout this journey. »

She studied drama and film at school and developed a love of animals which led her to become a veterinary nurse.

Emily, a 28-year-old British-Israeli national, was also taken hostage at Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023.

She was shot in the hand and taken to Gaza from her home during the attack, and also saw her dog shot. Photographs after her release showed Emily with a bandaged hand and two fingers missing following the attack.

His mother, Mandy Damari, was also on the kibbutz, in her separate home, on October 7. Ms Damari hid in the safe and was saved by a bullet which hit the door handle, preventing the attackers from entering.

As the assault unfolded, Emily sent her mother a text message containing a single heart emoji – it was their last contact.

Emotional images showed Emily reunited with her mother in Israel on Sunday, giving a hug during a video call with his brother.

“I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrible ordeal and who never stopped saying her name,” Ms Damari said.

“In Israel, Britain, the United States and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home.”

Ms Damari was born and raised in the UK and met her husband while on holiday in Israel when she was 20.

Emily, the youngest of four children, has strong ties to the UK: she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and often visits her relatives.

Before the ceasefire, Israel said 94 hostages were still missing, but estimated only 60 were still alive.

After the release of the three women on Sunday, another 30 Israeli hostages are expected to be handed over throughout the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli prime minister said most of the 30 people were alive.

They were named by Israel as follows:

Karina Ariev20; Itzik Elgarat, 69; Liri Albag19; Daniela Gilboa20; Agam Berger20; Ohad Ben Ami55; Arbel Yahoud29; Alexander (Sasha) Trufanov29; Sagui Dékel-Chen36; Omer Wenkert23; Horn of Yair46; Oded Lifshitz84; Naama Lévy20; Or collection34; Elie Cohen27; Ohad Yahalomi50; Tsachi Idan50; Keith Siegel65; Shlomo Mansour86; Gadi Moses80; Eli Sharabi52; Omer Chem Tov22; Tal Shoham39; Ofer Kalderon53; Yarden Bibas34; Shiri Bibas33; Ariel Bibas; Kfir Bibas.

The list also includes two men Hisham al-Sayed35 years old, and Avera Mengistu27-year-old, who was captured by Hamas after crossing into the Gaza Strip from Israel before the war.