Who are the three Israeli hostages being released?

The daughter, described as “the happiest when she dances”, will be one of three Israeli women to be freed after 471 days as hostages by Hamas.

Romy Gonen, 24, was among those captured by the militants as she tried to escape the Nova festival during the attack on October 7, 2023.

She is expected to be released along with Doran Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who has dual British-Israeli citizenship.

Their release is part of the first phase of an agreement between Israel and Hamas – a delay in Israel receiving the three names, which Hamas blamed on “technical field reasons”, pushed back the ceasefire by almost three hours.

Romy traveled from her home in Kfar Berodim, in northern Israel, to the Nova festival.

The Hostage and Missing Persons Forum, which represents her family, said she went “to do what she loved, dance” – something she studied for 12 years, appearing in solo shows and becoming an “amazing choreographer”.

When the sirens went off during the Hamas attack, Romi called her family. Her mother, Meirau, recalls hearing gunshots and screams in Arabic during her last call to her daughter.

Romy was ambushed by Hamas militants as she tried to flee the festival.

A video posted on a family forum last November described her as “the girl with the biggest smile, the brightest light, the best friend”.

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was abducted from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Az during a Hamas attack.

Last May, her sister Yamit Ashkenazi wrote an emotional letter through the Hostage and Missing Persons Forum, calling her “my sunshine.”

“I wish you could feel the energy we send you,” it said.

“I wish you knew at least part of the battle we are fighting here for your release. I wish you could experience it all. Love you, miss you, heartbroken but still fighting for you.’

And in an earlier post, Doran was described as “the glue that binds all her friends together, sensitive and fun, always smiling and the first to offer help.”

She studied theater and film at school, and developed a love for animals that led her to become a veterinary nurse.

Speaking to the BBC in November 2023, Doran’s sister Yamit revealed the new tattoo. It said, “We shall rise like the sun,” but some of the sun’s rays were missing.

“They will be added when she is home,” she added.

Emily, 28, who has dual British-Israeli citizenship, was also taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Az during the October 7 attack.

When news of her release came on Sunday, A source close to her family said that it was “471 harrowing days, but an especially harrowing 24 hours.”

“All Emily’s mom Mandy wants is a hug for Emily. But she won’t believe it until she sees it,” said the source.

Emily has strong ties to the UK – she is a fan of Tottenham Hotspur and often visits relatives, concerts, shopping and pubs.

Her mother, Mandy Damari, previously told the BBC that Emily was “the core of our family and that core is gone”.

“I love her to the moon and back, she’s a special person,” she added.