On Sunday morning at about 10 a.m. Israel time, Hamas finally delivered the names of the three hostages scheduled to be released on Sunday at about 4 p.m. Israel time, 18 hours after it was supposed to be transferred to Israel and 90 minutes after the ceasefire was supposed to go into effect.
As expected, three female hostages are on the list: Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari, and Romi Gonen.
Emily Damari, 28, a UK-Israeli citizen, and Doron Steinbrecher, 32, were both abducted from their homes on Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Damari was shot during the abduction and seriously wounded.
Romi Gonen, 24, was abducted from the Nova music festival. She was shot and suffered a gunshot wound to her hand before the abduction. According to a hostage released in November, Romi was alive at that point but was in dire need of medical attention as she could not move her fingers and they were changing colors.
According to the hostage deal agreement, Hamas is obligated to release the names of the hostages who will be released at least 24 hours beforehand. Hamas delayed transferring the list and instead of transferring it on Shabbos at 4 p.m., they delivered it on Sunday morning, an hour and a half after the ceasefire was supposed to begin.
When the list did not arrive in Israel by 8:30, the IDF carried out airstrikes on Hamas terror targets in northern and central Gaza.
Gazan reports said that five people were killed and about 20 wounded in the IDF strikes.
Despite the delay, residents of northern Gaza have begun returning to where their homes used to be, along with residents of Rafah.
In footage from the Gaza Strip, Hamas “police” are seen deployed in the area.
Update: 10:45 AM ET:
The Prime Minister’s Office has announced:
The Prime Minister’s Office, today (Sunday, 19 January 2025) [translated from Hebrew]:
The Government of Israel embraces the three women who have returned.
Their families have been updated by the relevant authorities that they are with our forces.
The Government of Israel is committed to returning all of the hostages and missing.
List of our citizens:
Romi Gonen (24)
Emily Damari (28)
Doron Steinbrecher (31)
The Government, together with all of the security officials, will accompany them and their families.
‘Praised are You LORD – who frees the imprisoned’
Baruch matir asurim
Sick sick sick
Am i the only one who is absolutely furious that they havnt released the other 30 hostages yet???
they already released all the terrorists and called a ceasefire. why would hamas now give up more hostages?
We are all furious but you have to feel,for those young ladies reuniting with the family . Very heartzidik
wow thank you heshem