On Sunday, the first day of a fragile ceasefire, Hamas freed three Israeli hostages, and Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners, offering a glimmer of hope after 15 months of relentless conflict in Gaza that has shaken the region.
As reported by Reuters, the truce allowed displaced Palestinians to return to their devastated neighborhoods, where relief trucks delivered essential aid. Celebrations erupted in parts of Gaza, with Hamas fighters emerging from hiding and fireworks lighting up the sky. In Ramallah, West Bank, buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners were met with cheers from thousands. Hamas reported that the released detainees included 69 women and 21 teenage boys from the West Bank and Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of Israelis gathered near the defense headquarters, cheering and shedding tears as they welcomed the hostages’ return.
A live broadcast from Gaza showed three female hostages boarding a Red Cross vehicle, surrounded by Hamas fighters. The Israeli military identified the women as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari. Footage showed Damari—injured during her abduction—smiling and embracing her mother, her hand bandaged.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised their return, saying in a call to a military commander, “Tell them: Romi, Doron, and Emily – an entire nation embraces you. Welcome home.”
At Sheba Medical Center, emotional reunions unfolded as the hostages met their families. Draped in an Israeli flag, Damari appeared relieved and joyful. These women were among over 250 people abducted during a Hamas raid on October 7, 2023, an attack that also claimed 1,200 lives, according to Israeli authorities.
The conflict has taken a devastating toll. Gaza medical officials report over 47,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli airstrikes, with nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced. Approximately 400 Israeli soldiers have also died. Under the ceasefire agreement, fighting has paused, humanitarian aid is entering Gaza, and 33 of the remaining 100 Israeli and foreign hostages are expected to be freed in the six-week initial phase. In return, Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, though many hostages are feared dead.