They also urge the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to respect the agreement to obtain the release of all the remaining hostages.
The families of the three Israeli hostages released on Sunday as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas thanked all those who contributed to the release of their loved ones.
Romi Gonen (24 years old), Emily Damari (28 years old) and Doron Steinbrecher (31 years old) were the first three hostages released by Hamas after the entry into force of the agreement negotiated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
In a specially prepared reception area at a military base near the Gaza border, the three young women were reunited with their families after more than 15 months of captivity in Gaza, after being captured during the attack of October 7, 2023 in southern Israel.
“On behalf of Emily and the rest of our family, so many people deserve our thanks for working to bring her home.”said Mandy Damari, mother of released hostage Emily Damari.
Families even expressed gratitude to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused by many in the country of not prioritizing the return of the hostages since the start of the war.
“I begin by thanking the Israeli government and the Prime Minister. With courage and values, a decision was taken to advance this process, the return of our sons and daughters to our borders”said Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of released hostage Romi Gonen.
On Sunday, after her release, Emily Damari wrote “the nightmare is over” on a whiteboard while aboard a helicopter taking her to the hospital.
Israeli media claim that the hostages lived in very difficult conditions, confined in underground spaces with very little daylight.
Families thank Donald Trump and Joe Biden
The families of the hostages also sent thanks to Donald Trump, who was just inducted as the 47th president of the United States on Monday.
“We have arrived at this moment after too long and without the involvement of US President Donald Trump, it would not have happened”says Yamit Ashkenazi, sister of released hostage Doron Steinbrecher.
Mandy Damari, Emily’s mother, also praised the efforts of the new American president and his predecessorasserting that “President Joe Biden, President Donald Trump and world leaders and negotiators” played a key role in the negotiations.
“We also wanted to thank US President Donald Trump who, through his courageous stand with Israel and his defense of human rights around the world, made this moment possible.”also declared Meirav Gonen.
Relatives of the released hostages claim thatthey are “in a good state of mind” and that they are recovering well, while emphasizing that the road to recovery will be long.
They also urge the families of the hostages still held in Gaza to continue to protest so that all phases of the ceasefire agreement are implemented and that all the hostages return safely.
