Tears of Joy as 3 Released Hostages Reunite with Families After 15 Months in Captivity
“I’ve returned to my beloved life,” says Emily Damari after her release.
JERUSALEM — Three Israeli women who were held hostage in Gaza for 15 months were joyfully reunited with their families in Israel on Sunday, as tears and cheers filled the air. The women — a soccer fan, a dancer, and a veterinary nurse — returned to their loved ones after enduring months in captivity following Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7, 2023.
Emily Damari, 28, one of the released hostages, shared her joy on social media, writing, “I’ve returned to my beloved life.” Damari was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the cross-border attack, where she suffered gunshot wounds that cost her two fingers. A powerful image of her holding up a bandaged hand, with a triumphant “I survived!” shouted, has become a symbol of the hostages’ strength and resilience.
Her mother, Mandy Damari, who had tirelessly campaigned for her daughter’s release, expressed her happiness on Instagram, saying, "Yesterday, I was finally able to give Emily the hug that I have been dreaming of." She also shared her pride in Emily’s courage, noting that she was "doing better than anyone could have anticipated."
Romi Gonen, 24, a modern dancer from Kfar Vradim, was abducted from the Nova music festival during the October 7 attack. She had managed to hide before being captured and taken hostage after her car was attacked. Her mother, Meirav Leshem Gonen, expressed immense relief upon her release, writing on Facebook, “It will take me, us, a moment to breathe ... and believe in the reality that we have fulfilled together.”
In one of her first moments of freedom, Gonen asked, “Where is my mother?” before embracing her family and speaking to her father, Eitan Gonen, on the phone, telling him, “I came back alive.”
Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, had sent a chilling text to her mother, Simona Steinbrecher, as Hamas militants neared their home: “They are here.” Steinbrecher and two other hostages appeared in a video released by Hamas in January, pleading for their release. After her return, Steinbrecher’s family shared their gratitude in an Instagram post, saying, "Our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms."
The long-awaited reunions have brought hope and emotional relief to the families, who had been advocating for their loved ones’ freedom. As these women return to their homes, their stories of survival and strength continue to resonate, and their families express their immense gratitude for the support they received throughout this harrowing ordeal.