This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5ydgeqrvqo

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Who are the three Israeli hostages being released by Hamas? Who are the three Israeli hostages being released by Hamas?
(about 2 hours later)
From left to right: Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron SteinbrecherFrom left to right: Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher
A daughter described as "at her happiest when she dances" will be among the three Israeli women due to be released after 471 days held hostage by Hamas. A young woman described as "at her happiest when she dances" is among three Israeli women released after 471 days held hostage by Hamas.
Romi Gonen, 24, was among those captured by the militant group as she tried to escape the Nova festival during the 7 October 2023 attack. Romi Gonen, 24, was captured as she tried to escape the Nova music festival when it was targeted by the militant group as part of the 7 October 2023 attack.
She is expected to be freed alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who holds dual British-Israeli nationality. She has been freed alongside Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who holds dual British-Israeli nationality.
Their release forms part of the first phase of the deal between Israel and Hamas - a delay in Israel getting the three names, which Hamas blamed on "technical field reasons", pushed the ceasefire back by nearly three hours. It was confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the three hostages had been handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza.
Their release forms part of the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, which began on Sunday. A total of 33 hostages are to be freed over the next six weeks.
Follow the latest updates hereFollow the latest updates here
Romi GonenRomi Gonen
Romi with her grandmother, Dvora LeshamRomi with her grandmother, Dvora Lesham
Romi had travelled from her home in Kfar Veradim, in the north of Israel, to the Nova festival. Romi had travelled from her home in Kfar Veradim, northern Israel, to the Nova festival, which took place in the Negev Desert in the south.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents her family, said she had gone "to do what she loved, to dance" - something she had studied for 12 years, starring in solo performances and becoming an "amazing choreographer". More than 360 people were killed at the festival when Hamas fighters crossed over the border, 2km (1.3 miles) to the west. The desert landscape offered partygoers limited cover and exit routes were blocked by gunmen.
When sirens sounded as the Hamas attack unfolded, Romi called her family. Her mother, Meirav, recalled hearing shots and shouting in Arabic in the final call with her daughter. When sirens sounded as the attack unfolded, Romi called her family. Her mother, Meirav, recalled hearing shots and shouting in Arabic in the final call with her daughter.
Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants as she tried to flee the festival. Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants as she tried to flee.
In June, her mother addressed the UN Human Rights council to appeal for international help to release the hostages.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said she had gone to the festival "to do what she loved, to dance" - something she had studied for 12 years, starring in solo performances and becoming an "amazing choreographer".
A video posted by the families' forum last November described her as "the girl with the biggest smile, the brightest light, the greatest friend".A video posted by the families' forum last November described her as "the girl with the biggest smile, the brightest light, the greatest friend".
The forum also said that Romi's bedroom at her home "remains exactly as it was when she left", awaiting her return.
Doron SteinbrecherDoron Steinbrecher
Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was abducted from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza when Hamas attacked. Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was abducted from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza - near Gaza's north-western border - when Hamas attacked.
In May last year, her sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, penned an emotional letter through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, calling her "my sunshine". The community, one of many Israeli villages along the border, was heavily targeted by armed militants during the 7 October attacks.
Israeli officials said Hamas burned homes and killed civilians, including whole families, as well as taking hostages.
When the assault began, Doron contacted her family and friends via WhatsApp to say she was hiding under the bed as militants advanced, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
In her last voice message, she was heard screaming "they've caught me" as shouting and gunfire sounded in the background.
Doron's family received no information about her whereabouts for nearly four months.
In May last year, her sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, wrote an emotional letter through the missing families forum, calling her "my sunshine".
"I wish you could feel the energy we send to you," it read."I wish you could feel the energy we send to you," it read.
"I wish you were aware of, at least, some of the battle we are fighting here for your release. I wish you could feel it all. Loving you, longing for you, heartbroken, yet still fighting for you."
And in an earlier post, Doron was described as "the glue that connects all her friends, sensitive and funny, always smiling and the first to offer help".And in an earlier post, Doron was described as "the glue that connects all her friends, sensitive and funny, always smiling and the first to offer help".
She studied theatre and film in school, and developed a love for animals that led to her becoming a veterinary nurse.She studied theatre and film in school, and developed a love for animals that led to her becoming a veterinary nurse.
Speaking to the BBC in November 2023, Doron's sister Yamit spoke of a new tattoo. It read: "As the sun we will rise again", but had some of the sun's rays missing.Speaking to the BBC in November 2023, Doron's sister Yamit spoke of a new tattoo. It read: "As the sun we will rise again", but had some of the sun's rays missing.
"They will be added when she is home," she added."They will be added when she is home," she added.
Emily DamariEmily Damari
Emily, a 28-year-old who holds dual British-Israeli nationality, was also taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the 7 October attack. Emily, a 28-year-old British-Israeli national, was also taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October 2023.
As news of her release came on Sunday, a source close to her family said that it had been a "torturous 471 days but a particularly torturous 24 hours". She was shot in the hand and taken into Gaza from her home during the attack, and also saw her dog shot and killed.
Her mother, Mandy Damari, was also in the kibbutz in her separate home on 7 October. Mrs Damari hid in the safe room and was saved by a bullet hitting the door handle, making it impossible for attackers to get in.
As the assault unfolded, Emily sent her mother a text message containing a single heart emoji - that was the last contact they had.
In December, Mrs Damari told the BBC how concerned she was about the conditions her daughter was facing. Sunday was the first time they received information about Emily since March.
As news of her release came, a source close to her family said that it had been a "torturous 471 days but a particularly torturous 24 hours".
"All Emily's mum Mandy wants to do is hug Emily. But she won't believe it until she sees it," the source said."All Emily's mum Mandy wants to do is hug Emily. But she won't believe it until she sees it," the source said.
Emily has strong connections with the UK - she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and would often visit to see relatives, attend concerts, go shopping and visit the pub here. 'I just want to hug her': Family of British-Israeli hostage on news she will be released
Her mother, Mandy Damari, previously told the BBC that Emily is "the core of our family and the core is missing". Mrs Damari was born and raised in the UK, and met her husband on a holiday in Israel aged 20.
Emily, the youngest of four children, has strong connections with the UK - she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and would often visit to see relatives, attend concerts, go shopping and visit the pub here.
Mrs Damari previously told the BBC that Emily is "the core of our family and the core is missing".
"I love her to the moon and back, she is a special person," she added."I love her to the moon and back, she is a special person," she added.