Israel: The 3 captives have arrived at initial reception

Admin I Sunday, January 19, 2025

 

TEL AVIV, Israel – The Israeli Defence Forces, IDF has confirmed arrival of the three captives at point of initial reception and reunited with family members.

In a statement, IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the captives will also be reunited with their mother.

“IDF: The three released hostages have arrived at the initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with their mothers”, he said.

According to him, the IDF officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the released hostages during an initial medical assessment.

He added that the IDF representatives are accompanying their families at the hospital and updating them with the latest available information.

He added, “Emily, Doron, and Romi are now in safe hands. Minutes ago, Emily, Doron, and Romi were reunited with IDF and ISA forces—they are now with us and on their way home.

“Minutes ago, Emily, Doron, and Romi were reunited with IDF and ISA forces—they are now with us and on their way home.

“They are on their way to the IDF’s initial reception center, where they will receive initial medical care and be reunited with their families. From there, they will be transferred to the hospital”, he said.

According to him, Emily Tehila Damari, who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, marked her 28th birthday in captivity. Doron Steinbrecher, who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, marked her 31st birthday in captivity.

“Romi Gonen, from Kfar Vradim, was abducted from the ‘Nova’ music festival and marked her 24th birthday in captivity.

“Emily, Doron, and Romi are finally on their way home. These are deeply emotional moments, alongside the pain they endured during their prolonged captivity. Now, it is essential to allow their families the privacy they need during their reunification with their loved ones.

“We are aware of the public’s enormous anticipation regarding the return and condition of the hostages. At the same time, we must all act with great responsibility. These are difficult days, and placing additional burdens on the families of the hostages and the hostages themselves is irresponsible”, he said, adding alongside the immense excitement, our hearts are with all the hostages still being held in Gaza under inhumane conditions, and we eagerly await their return.

“The first stage of the agreement is expected to last approximately 42 days. Today, the first three hostages returned. From now on, three to four additional hostages will be released each week.

“This morning, Hamas failed to uphold its commitment and did not submit the list as agreed upon in the deal.

“Following the delay, we struck Hamas military infrastructure and armed terrorists in vehicles, and the ceasefire implementation was delayed.

“We will not tolerate deviations from the agreements, as we made clear this morning.

“When the ceasefire came into effect at 11:15, our troops took up the defensive positions outlined in the agreement as part of a broader security deployment along the Gaza border.

“Additionally, we reinforced IDF troops in the Judea and Samaria region and remain fully prepared for both defensive and offensive operations”, Hagari said.

He explained that the IDF, in coordination with the ISA, the Mossad, and the political echelon, is working to achieve all the objectives of the war: the destruction of Hamas’s governmental and military capabilities, the return of residents to their homes, and the most urgent goal—bringing the hostages back home.

“Even at this time, the IDF’s operations continue across all fronts with a clear goal—the security of Israel’s residents”.