‘Cynical game’: Israeli hostages given ‘gift bags’ by Hamas upon release
The three Israeli hostages were presented with “gift bags” by Hamas before their release – in what the survivors described as a “cynical game”.
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The first three Israeli hostages have reunited with their families in emotional scenes, after being released under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire following 471 days in captivity.
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum campaign group identified the women set free as Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher. All three were seized during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, in which more than 1200 Israelis were killed and 251 were taken hostage.
In retaliation, Israel declared war on Hamas – and, by extension, Palestine – in turn leading to the deaths of 47,000 Gazans, many of them women and children. Much of the Gaza Strip has been reduced to rubble by Israeli forces.
“Today the guns in Gaza have gone silent,” US President Joe Biden said, in brief remarks about the hostages’ release from the Palestinian militants, explaining that the first three of 33 hostages set to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire were safe, and that more will be released in the coming days.
“By the 16th day of the deal, talks will begin in the second phase. This phase includes the release of Israeli soldiers and a permanent end of the war without Hamas in power or able to threaten Israel.”
The outgoing President said the freed hostages “appeared to be in good health,” but that they had a long road to recovery.
Israeli hostages given ‘gift bags’ by Hamas
Each of the hostages released by Hamas were given a “gift bag” before they were handed over to the Red Cross, according to The New York Post.
The bags contained “gifts and souvenirs”, which included photos of them in captivity, a commemorative photo of Gaza itself, and some kind of certificate, the Israeli outlet Ynet reported.
All three hostages were filmed being loaded into the car, then, without a word, a Hamas terrorist handed each a paper bag with the group’s crest on it.
Israeli media reports the hostages described the bags as a “cynical game”.
‘Not a dry eye in this country’
Photos shared to social media showed the emotional reunions of all three women with their families at an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) facility near the Gaza border.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer told Sky News Australia there was “not a dry eye in this country, I can promise you that” when the women were reunited with their mothers.
“We, as a nation, we’ve been collectively holding our breath at the thought of these three precious daughters of Israel coming home,” Mr Mencer said.
“Right now, the sight of those young ladies being reunited with their parents … it’s been the most remarkable outcome that this country can remember.”
Emily Damari, who was wounded in a shooting on October 7, 2023, lost two fingers during the assault, according to her family. Pictures show her holding up her bandaged left hand, showing the gruesome injury, on a video call with family members.
“After 471 days – Emily is finally home,” her mother Mandy Damari said in a statement.
“We would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts everyone who fought tirelessly for Emily throughout this difficult time. To everyone who raised her voice and called her name, in Israel, England, the United States and the whole world – thank you. Thanks to you, Emily came home.
“Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, but there are still too many families still waiting in pain. We must work together for the release of all the abductees, down to the last one. Those still in captivity need immediate humanitarian assistance.
“We ask the media to respect the privacy of Emily and our family at this time.”
Ms Damari, a dual UK citizen, and Doron Steinbrecher, 30, were both kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
Romi Gonen, 23, was shot in the arm and abducted by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival. Her family, who have advocated for her release, described her as “one of the funniest girls I know,” beloved by her friends and customers at the high-end Tel Aviv restaurant she waitressed at.
Hamas is also regaining prisoners. The Israel Justice Ministry published a list of 95 Palestinians to be freed starting Sunday. They include 69 women, 16 men and 10 minors.
The Israel Prison Service said it would prevent any “public displays of joy” when Palestinian prisoners are released.
Hundreds celebrate hostages’ release
Hundreds of Israelis celebrated in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square following the release of the first hostages on Sunday. The crowds erupted into cheers as televisions in the square played footage of the trio being handed over to the Red Cross.
Under the deal mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, which came into effect just past 8.15pm AEDT, the six-week ceasefire will see the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails as well as the return of Israeli hostages.
The Israeli military earlier said the Red Cross had confirmed the handover of three hostages on Sunday, the first to be released as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas and Israeli officials.
“The Red Cross has communicated that the three Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF (military) and ISA (security agency) forces in the Gaza Strip,” the military said in a statement.
Reasons for ceasefire delay
The women’s release came despite Hamas threatening to derail the ceasefire deal owing to the terror group’s failure to share the names of the hostages it planned to release – a three-hour delay that cost 10 Palestinians their lives and injuring another 25.
After being supplied the list of names, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed at 8.15pm AEDT on Sunday the ceasefire was now in effect.
Mr Netanyahu previously said that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting in Gaza with US support, as he pledged to bring home all hostages held in the Palestinian territory.
“We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support,” Mr Netanyahu said in a televised statement, a day before a ceasefire is set to take effect.
“We are thinking of all our hostages … I promise you that we will achieve all our objectives and bring back all the hostages.
“With this agreement, we will bring back 33 of our brothers and sisters, the majority (of them) alive.”
“If we are forced to resume the war, we will do so with force,” Mr Netanyahu continued, adding that Israel had “changed the face of the Middle East” since the war began.
Mr Netanyahu acknowledged that access to the Philadelphi Corridor and buffer zone had been set as a condition, and that increased Israeli military presence along the border with Gaza were preconditions to accepting the deal. He confirmed that through the ceasefire, Israel will not allow “the arrival of any weapons” for Hamas.
“We will increase our military presence there,” he said.
He added that no Palestinian “prisoners whose hands are stained in blood” will be released as part of the deal.
On the seventh day of the ceasefire, another four Israeli hostages will be released. After that, there will be weekly releases during the initial six-week period.
Israel will let 30 Palestinian women, children and elderly imprisoned go in exchange for every civilian hostage freed from Gaza. For every female Israeli soldier released, the Jewish state will deliver 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 facing life sentences, The New York Post reports.
For bodies returned to Israel, all Palestinian women and children detained from Gaza by Israel since the war startedwill be released. Meanwhile, Israeli forces will pull back into a buffer zone in Gaza and near the Israeli border that will allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza City and northern Gaza.
About 600 trucks of humanitarian aid will flow in Gaza daily during the ceasefire, including 50 of them carrying fuel.
Negotiations over the second phase of the agreement will start on the 16th day of the first phase.
‘I will go to kiss my land’
The ceasefire comes after a 15-month-long bloody war that has raged since October 2023.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said the Palestinian Authority has completed preparations “to assume full responsibility in Gaza” after the war.
Even before the truce begins, displaced Gazans were preparing to return home.
“I will go to kiss my land,” said Nasr al-Gharabli, who fled his home in Gaza City for a camp further south.
“If I die on my land, it would be better than being here as a displaced person.”
Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israel pounded several areas of the territory, killing more than 100 people and wounding hundreds more since the deal was announced on Wednesday.
Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, warned that Israeli strikes were risking the lives of hostages and could turn their “freedom … into a tragedy”.
Originally published as ‘Cynical game’: Israeli hostages given ‘gift bags’ by Hamas upon release
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