JERUSALEM (RNS) — Glued to the news, Israelis breathed a collective sigh of relief Sunday (Jan. 19), when Romi Golan, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher set foot in Israel, the first of the remaining hostages to be released by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal finalized Friday.
The Red Cross transferred the three women from Gaza City to the outskirts of Gaza, where they were met by the Israeli military and then transported to Israel.
Thousands of people gathered in what has come to be known as “Hostage Square” in central Tel Aviv to watch live updates on a vast video screen. News that the hostages appeared to be in relatively good physical condition despite 15 months in captivity brought many to tears. Golan had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival, while Damari and Steinbrecher had both been taken from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on southern Israel, which left nearly 1,200 Israelis dead and 250 taken hostage.
Amid the joy Sunday were fears the ceasefire could collapse at any moment, leaving more than 90 hostages in Hamas captivity.
“Romi, Emily and Doron — so beloved and missed — an entire nation rejoices at your return,” Israe …