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Israeli hostages
Image: Israel Government Press Office

Three Israeli female hostages freed, reunited with loved ones

The first three Israeli female hostages released by Hamas have reunited with their families at the Tel Hashomer Hospital near Tel Aviv.

During a press conference at the Sheba Medical Centre, hospital staff member Professor Itai Pessach said Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were in “a stable condition.”

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“That allows us and them to focus on what is the most important thing for now – reuniting with the families,” Professor Pessach said.

“We will continue to monitor all their clinical conditions. This will take a few more days until we complete all the examinations that are needed, and treat, whatever we find.”

Gonen, who was abducted from the Nova Musical Festival during the October 7 attack, was met by her family in a hospital room decorated with fairy lights.

British-Israeli citizen Damari was wrapped in an Israeli flag as she embraced her waiting family.

Damari was pictured upon her release with some missing fingers. Her family confirmed she was shot in the hand during the attack, sustaining the injury.

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Meanwhile, Steinbrecher, who was taken from her kibbutz Kfar Aza home, cried in the hallway as she was reunited her father.

Hamas gave the three women “gift bags” before they were released to commemorate their time as hostages.

They were pictured holding the bags, with Israeli media blurring out the logos. According to Israeli media reports, the bags included photos of the women being held and a certificate commemorating their time in captivity.

Over the next few weeks, Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

About 90 Palestinian prisoners are among the first lot of those to be freed and were en route to Ramallah in the West Bank at the time of publishing.

Palestinians have gathered in Ramallah, awaiting their loved ones’ arrival.

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