Who are the three Israeli hostages being released?

A younger girl described as “at her happiest when she dances” is considered among the many three Israeli girls launched after 471 days held hostage by Hamas.

Romi Gonen, 24, was captured as she tried to flee the Nova music competition when it was focused by the militant group as a part of the 7 October 2023 assault.

She is believed to have been freed alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who holds twin British-Israeli nationality.

It was confirmed on Sunday afternoon that three hostages had been handed over to the Purple Cross by Hamas in Gaza.

Their launch kinds a part of the primary part of the ceasefire and hostage launch deal between Israel and Hamas, which started on Sunday. A complete of 33 hostages are to be launched over the following six weeks.

A delay in Israel getting all of the names, which Hamas blamed on “technical discipline causes”, pushed the ceasefire again by practically three hours.

Romi had travelled from her house in Kfar Veradim, northern Israel, to the Nova competition, which passed off within the Negev Desert within the south.

Greater than 360 folks had been killed on the competition when Hamas fighters crossed over the border, 2km (1.3 miles) to the west. The desert panorama provided partygoers restricted cowl and exit routes had been blocked by gunmen.

When sirens sounded because the assault unfolded, Romi referred to as her household. Her mom, Meirav, recalled listening to pictures and shouting in Arabic within the remaining name along with her daughter.

Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants as she tried to flee.

In June, her mom addressed the UN Human Rights council to enchantment for worldwide assist to launch the hostages.

The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board mentioned she had gone to the competition “to do what she beloved, to bounce” – one thing she had studied for 12 years, starring in solo performances and turning into an “superb choreographer”.

A video posted by the households’ discussion board final November described her as “the woman with the most important smile, the brightest mild, the best pal”.

The discussion board additionally mentioned that Romi’s bed room at her house “stays precisely because it was when she left”, awaiting her return.

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was kidnapped from her condominium in Kibbutz Kfar Aza – close to Gaza’s north-western border – when Hamas attacked.

The neighborhood, certainly one of many Israeli villages alongside the border, was closely focused by armed militants in the course of the 7 October assaults.

Israeli officers mentioned Hamas burned properties and killed civilians, together with entire households, in addition to taking hostages.

When the assault started, Doron contacted her household and buddies by way of WhatsApp to say she was hiding underneath the mattress as militants superior, the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board mentioned.

In her final voice message, she was heard screaming “they’ve caught me” as shouting and gunfire sounded within the background.

Doron’s household obtained no details about her whereabouts for practically 4 months.

In Might final yr, her sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, wrote an emotional letter via the lacking households discussion board, calling her “my sunshine”.

“I want you could possibly really feel the vitality we ship to you,” it learn.

And in an earlier submit, Doron was described as “the glue that connects all her buddies, delicate and humorous, at all times smiling and the primary to supply assist”.

She studied theatre and movie in class, and developed a love for animals that led to her turning into a veterinary nurse.

Chatting with the BBC in November 2023, Doron’s sister Yamit spoke of a brand new tattoo. It learn: “Because the solar we are going to rise once more”, however had among the solar’s rays lacking.

“They are going to be added when she is house,” she added.

Emily, a 28-year-old British-Israeli nationwide, was additionally taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October 2023.

She was shot within the hand and brought into Gaza from her house in the course of the assault, and likewise noticed her canine shot and killed.

Her mom, Mandy Damari, was additionally within the kibbutz in her separate house on 7 October. Mrs Damari hid within the protected room and was saved by a bullet hitting the door deal with, making it unattainable for attackers to get in.

Because the assault unfolded, Emily despatched her mom a textual content message containing a single coronary heart emoji – that was the final contact that they had.

In December, Mrs Damari advised the BBC how involved she was concerning the circumstances her daughter was going through. Sunday was the primary time they obtained details about Emily since March.

As information of her launch got here, a source close to her family said that it had been a “torturous 471 days however a very torturous 24 hours”.

“All Emily’s mum Mandy needs to do is hug Emily. However she will not imagine it till she sees it,” the supply mentioned.

Mrs Damari was born and raised within the UK, and met her husband on a vacation in Israel aged 20.

Emily, the youngest of 4 kids, has sturdy connections with the UK – she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and would usually go to to see family members, attend concert events, buy groceries and go to the pub right here.

Mrs Damari beforehand advised the BBC that Emily is “the core of our household and the core is lacking”.

“I really like her to the moon and again, she is a particular individual,” she added.