Three female hostages are set to be released Sunday evening after 471 days in Hamas captivity.
Romi Gonen, 24, was taken from the Nova music festival. Shot in the hand during her abduction, Gonen was initially set for release in November 2023 before the deal collapsed. Her mother said recently, "I've been imagining this reunion for months. I know with certainty my daughter is coming back alive."
Emily Damari, 28, sheltered in her Kfar Aza apartment's safe room with friend Gali Berman when Hamas attacked on Oct. 7. The pair sent a selfie to the neighborhood WhatsApp group at 8:52 a.m. Damari's final message came at 10:24 a.m., reporting gunfire near her home. Shortly after, witnesses saw terrorists driving her car toward Gaza with Damari, Berman, and his twin brother Ziv inside. In her apartment, authorities later found her dog Chucha shot dead.
Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse in Kfar Aza, was taken from her apartment. Known for her work with animals, she was the community's trusted pet care expert. Her family received proof she was alive in January 2024.
The three women are expected to cross into Israel Sunday evening as part of the latest hostage release agreement.
