The news of the handover of the three hostages released by Hamas to the Red Cross drew applause and hugs from the Israelis gathered in what became known as “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv.
“Romi is coming back! Emily is coming back! Doron is coming back!”, shouted those present after confirming that the transfer had been carried out.
The news reached the crowd via a large television screen in the square, which was broadcasting Al Jazeera with commentary from Israeli analysts in the background.
The hostages are: , dual Israeli-British citizen.
According to the Red Cross, the three are in good health after an initial medical examination.
Gonen was 23 years old when she was kidnapped from . The family reported that she was shot in the hand during the attack.
Steinbrecher, a veterinary nurse, was 30 years old when she was kidnapped from her apartment in kibbutz Kfar Aza, near the Gaza border.
A video showing her alongside two other kidnapped women was released by Hamas in January last year.
Damari was kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza when she was 27 years old.
Her mother, Mandy Damari, previously said her daughter was “shot in the hand, wounded by shrapnel in the leg, blindfolded, placed in the back of her own car” and taken to Gaza.
She is the only remaining British citizen detained.
