The three women released from Hamas captivity on Sunday shared their first testimonies from their captivity with N12 exclusively on Monday, cleared for publication by the military censor.
Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonen, and Emily Damari relayed that they were initially held together but were later separated. They revealed that they were only informed of their release on Sunday morning: "We couldn’t believe it when we were told we were about to go home."
According to their testimonies, they were at times housed in humanitarian shelters designated for displaced Gazans.
Even though the women did sometimes receive medical help or medications, they spent significant stretches of time without daylight, confined to underground space, N12 added.
One of the women underwent a medical procedure without anesthesia. She told N12 she thought she would die in Gaza.
The women said that they spent 15 months cooking and supporting each other.
They also added that throughout their 471 days in Gaza, they were exposed to television and radio broadcasts and were able to follow their families’ struggles for their release.
They also spoke of their terror in the final moments of captivity as they were transferred to the Red Cross. "We were terrified during the transition from the terrorists’ hands to the Red Cross," they told N12, and mentioned being surrounded by the hostile Gazan crowd.
'Long road to recovery': Relatives of freed hostages speak for the first time
The relatives of the three released hostages, Emily Damari, Doron Steinbracher, and Romi Gonen, issued their first public statements on Monday evening from the Tel Hashomer Hospital in Tel Aviv.
"Today, Doron is home with us. Our Dorona is here. We are still processing, trying to cope. Doron is doing well, strong and brave, but she has a long road of recovery ahead of her and us," Doron's sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, said, addressing the press first.
"The journey to bring Doron home has ended, but her journey to recovery is just beginning. We ourselves survived the October 7th massacre and haven't yet begun our own recovery process," Ashkenazi continued.
"We humbly ask that you give Doron the private space she needs to recover and regain strength. Her privacy is an integral part of her rehabilitation process, and we thank you for your understanding and consideration," she stated.
Ashkenazi then shared a message from Doron: "My return home doesn't mean those still there shouldn't return - everyone must come back. I ask you to continue fighting, never give up, take to the streets, all phases of the deal must be implemented. Everyone needs to return until the last hostage comes home. Just as I was fortunate to return to my family, so must everyone else."
Tom Damari, Emily's brother, then thanked the IDF soldiers who risked their lives during the war. "We embrace and love you."
"We want to thank the Israeli government that voted in favor of the agreement," he said.
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