Romi Gonen, a 24-year-old Israeli woman, has been released from captivity in Gaza after being held for over 14 months by Hamas following the devastating October 7, 2023, attack on the Nova Music Festival. Her father, Eitan Gonen, expressed overwhelming gratitude and relief upon learning of her imminent return.
“We’ve waited for 11,000 hours,” Eitan said. “It’s like waiting for a birth to finally happen.” Romi’s release comes as part of a broader hostage-ceasefire deal that has gripped the nation.
The family received news of Romi’s release with cautious optimism, eager to see her and hear from her again after 14 months in captivity. Her brother, Shahaf Gonen, shared on Instagram: “Romi is on the list. Official. Good luck to all of us.”
Romi was shot in the hand while attempting to flee during the attack, leaving her with severely injured fingers that had limited function. Despite this, she has shown remarkable resilience and hope for other hostages’ families.
A 28-year-old British-Israeli hostage, Emily Damari, is also being released alongside Romi. However, Emily’s mother, Mandy, expressed concerns about the long road ahead for her daughter’s recovery and humanitarian aid.
The family’s story has become a symbol of resilience and hope for all hostages’ families, inspiring solidarity across Israel. As Eitan put it, “This is an excitement like no other. It’s like giving birth to a new beginning.”
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-838206