By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2025-01-19 22:35:04 | Updated at 2025-01-20 05:31:57
7 hours ago
TEL AVIV — Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square and New York City’s Central Park to celebrate the release of the first three hostages by Hamas on Sunday.
Families of the captives and their supporters crowded the centers to watch and cheer as Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 23, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, left Gaza after more than 15 months in captivity.
“Romi is coming back! Emily is coming back! Doron is coming back!” the crowd was heard chanting in Tel Aviv.
Clay Richmond, a Texan volunteering for the Jewish National Fund, told The Post that everyone was thrilled at the news and overwhelmed with emotion as the 42-day cease-fire and hostage exchange brings hope of lasting peace to the war torn region.
“It’s very emotional to be here to see the people excited about the release of more hostages,” Richmond said. “I’m moved by the perseverance and love for one another and the hope and release for all hostages”
“I see a hope for peace,” he added.
Hany Nachmany, a teacher who taught Romi in school, echoed the jubilatory sensation in the air when news broke that the hostages were successfully taken in by the IDF.
“I’m very excited. I’m sure that she will recover and be okay,” Nachmany said, carrying Romi’s missing poster.
The release of the hostages was met with equal applause in the Big Apple as hundreds gathered in Central Park to celebrate their return home after 241 days in Hamas terrorists’ clutches.
“For more than a year now this has been the first (rally) where there was some small, small glimmer of happiness and hope,” organizer Carmi Margalit told The Post.
Netta Meighan, an Oct. 7 survivor who spoke at the rally, said the exchange is just the start as the supporters called for the release of all 97 hostages in Gaza.
“I’m really hoping this deal will be able to hold together,” Meighan added.
“It’s very important to bring everybody that’s alive back home but it’s also important to bring the people that died back home for a proper burial. We just need to bring everybody back home.”
Netanyahu, whose cabinet signed off on the exchange deal after days of tense negotiations, joined in celebrating the hostages’ return, calling it a “incredibly moving day.”
“I know, we all know, that they went through hell,” Netanyahu said. “They are going from darkness to light… this is a big moment, an emotional moment. A big day.”
The hostages’ freedom was also welcomed by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who controversially resigned over his opposition to the cease-fire agreement, effectively ending Netanyhu’s majority.
“We are happy and excited about your return and await the return of the remaining hostages — through the use of force, cutting off fuel and stopping the flow of humanitarian aid — not through surrender,” Gvir wrote on X, referencing all the tactics he supported over a cease-fire.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also opposed the deal but did not join Gvir in resigning, also praised Gonen, Damari and Streinbrecher’s return home.
“Emily, Doron and Romi, welcome home,” he posted on X. “Our hearts go out to you, our dear sisters! The entire nation is proud of you, weeps with you, and embraces you endlessly!”
