Four more Israeli hostages will be released on Saturday, Hamas announces

Romi Gonen was at the electronic music festival that was invaded by Hamas. At the time of the attack, she managed to call her mother, Meirav, while trying to flee the scene, according to The Jerusalem Post. Three of the young woman’s friends, who were with her that day, were murdered.

Emily Damari was kidnapped from her home. She lived in the kibbutz (agrarian village) Kfar Aza, in southern Israel, and was imprisoned by Hamas with 37 other residents. Emily, who has dual citizenship (Israeli and British), was raised in Israel but traveled to the UK frequently.

Doron Steinbracher was also kidnapped from her home. She is a veterinary nurse, also has dual citizenship (Israeli and Romanian) and lived on kibbutz Kfar Aza, the same as Emily Damari. Doron appeared alongside other hostages in a video published by Hamas in January 2024.

On the ceasefire in Gaza

In total, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released in this first phase of the truce, which is expected to last at least six weeks. During this period, there will be negotiations for a second phase, which would include the release of all hostages and lay the groundwork for ending the war.

In addition to the release of prisoners, the agreement includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from densely populated areas in Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid. Egyptian authorities predict that 600 trucks containing supplies, medicine and other essential items will now be able to enter the territory daily.