What was in the brown bags handed to Israeli hostages released by Hamas?
After 471 days in captivity, the three Israeli hostages freed in the first phase of the cease-fire deal with Hamas have finally returned home to Israel. Emily Damari, Romi Goren, and Doron Steinbrecher were all spotted carrying paper “gift bags” with the terror organization’s logo as they arrived back in their homeland. These bags reportedly contained a map of Gaza, photos of the women from their time in captivity, and certificates reading “release decision,” according to Hebrew-language media.
The families of the hostages expressed bittersweet joy upon their return. Romi Goren’s family representative revealed that her bag also contained a necklace, although the items given by Hamas were confiscated by the Israel Security Agency. Emily Damari’s mother, Mandy Damari, shared a statement from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, expressing relief that Emily is doing well and has her life back. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for securing the release of Damari, who is a British citizen.
The families of the hostages also extended their gratitude to the people of Israel and President Donald Trump for their support during the ordeal. Doron Steinbrecher’s family thanked the Israeli people and President Trump for their unwavering support and strength during the darkest moments. A Hamas official confirmed that four of the seven remaining Israeli female hostages will be released on January 25 as part of the ongoing deal.
The cease-fire and hostage deal involve Hamas gradually releasing a total of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza over the next six weeks in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees from the West Bank and Gaza. As part of the initial exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Damari, Goren, and Steinbrecher. Crowds of Palestinians in the West Bank celebrated the detainees’ return, some reportedly waving Hamas flags in celebration.
In response to the events of October 7th, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a leadership shakeup. Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, submitted his resignation and requested to leave his role later this year. Halevi took responsibility for the IDF’s failure on October 7th and pledged to complete inquiries into the events and strengthen the IDF’s readiness for security challenges before stepping down on March 6, 2025. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed appreciation for Halevi’s service and contribution to the IDF’s achievements.
The return of the three Israeli hostages marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of all captives held by Hamas. The families of the hostages, along with the Israeli government, are hopeful that the remaining hostages will be reunited with their loved ones in the near future.
