Who are the three Israeli hostages being released?

A daughter described as “happiest when she dances” is among three Israeli women to be freed after 471 days of being held hostage by Hamas.

Romi Gonen, 24, was among those captured by the militant group trying to flee the Nova festival in the attack on October 7, 2023.

He is expected to be released along with Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, a dual British-Israeli national.

Their release is part of the first phase of a deal between Israel and Hamas: delays in Israel’s acquisition of the three names, which Hamas blamed on “technical reasons,” delayed the ceasefire by nearly three hours.

Romi traveled from her home in Kfar Veradim, northern Israel, to the Nova festival.

The Abductees and Missing Families Forum, which represents his family, said he went “to do what he loved, dance”, something he studied for 12 years, starring in solo shows and becoming an “amazing choreographer”.

As the sirens blared as the Hamas offensive unfolded, Romi called her family. Her mother, Meirav, recalled in Arabic that she heard gunshots and screams with her daughter.

Romi was ambushed by Hamas militants while trying to flee the festival.

She was described as “the girl with the biggest smile, the brightest light, the biggest friend” in a video posted by the family forum last November.

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was abducted from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza when Hamas attacked.

In May of last year, her sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, wrote an emotional letter through the Abductees and Disappeared Families Forum, calling her “my sunshine.”

“I wish you could feel the energy we send you,” it read.

“I wish you at least knew about some of the battles we’re fighting here for your liberation. I wish you could feel it all. I love you, miss you, break my heart, but still fight for you.”

And in a previous post, Doron was described as “the glue that binds all friends together, sensitive and funny, always smiling and the first to offer support.”

She studied theater and film at school and developed a love for animals, which led her to become a veterinary nurse.

Speaking to the BBC in November 2023, Doron’s sister Yamit spoke about a new tattoo. It said, “The sun will rise again,” but some sun rays were missing.

“They will be added when he is at home,” he added.

Emily, a 28-year-old with dual British-Israeli nationality, was also taken hostage at Kibbutz Kfar Aza in the October 7 attack.

As news of his release came on Sunday, a source close to his family said That it was “471 tortured days but especially 24 torturous hours”.

“All Emily’s mom Mandy wants to do is hug Emily. But she won’t believe it until she sees it,” the source said.

Emily has strong ties to the UK: she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and used to visit relatives, go to concerts, shop and visit the pub.

Her mother, Mandy Damari, previously told the BBC that Emily is “missing the heart and soul of our family”.

“I love him to the moon and back, he’s a special person,” she added.