Hamas just released the name of three Israeli hostages it will be releasing later today (Sunday).
Brigadier General (Ret.) Gal Hirsch, Israel's Coordinator for Captives and Missing Persons, has already informed the relevant families through IDF representatives.
The PMO urged media outlets and the public not to share details of the list, calling for sensitivity and respect for the families' privacy during this delicate process.
Officials said they will provide verified updates as soon as they become available.
Senior Israeli officials believe that these women are still alive.
The announcement comes as Israel prepares for the first phase of a new hostage release deal with Hamas, following intensive negotiations mediated by international partners.
Gonen, 24, has been held in Gaza since terrorists abducted her after shooting her in the hand as she tried to escape the festival. Her last moments of freedom were captured in a haunting phone call with her mother Meirav, where she cried out, "They shot me, Mom and I'm bleeding. Everyone in the car is bleeding."
The vehicle she was fleeing in was later found abandoned, and her phone was tracked to Gaza. A recording obtained by the Daily Mail revealed terrorists discussing whether to kill or kidnap her at the scene.
Ben Shimoni, known as the "Angel of Nova" who saved nine lives that day by making multiple rescue trips to the festival, had reportedly returned to save Gonen and others when he was killed by the terrorists.
In November 2023, a released hostage reported Gonen was alive but in poor condition, with severe injuries to her hand. "Her fingers are barely moving and are changing colors," her family said, citing the report from 10 weeks ago.
Her father Eitan describes her as "a magical girl. She's all heart, all love... a justice warrior." The family has maintained hope throughout her captivity, with Eitan telling Reuters, "We are convinced that Romi will be back home, alive."
Doron Steinbrecher, 30 years old at the time, was taken from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. She had been texting with her family during the attack, letting them know that terrorists had entered her safe room. Her last message to them was "They're here."
Emily Damari, 84 years old when kidnapped, was also taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz where she lived. She was one of the oldest hostages taken. Like many residents of the kibbutz, she was taken from her home during the early morning attack.
This is how the exchange will happen:
The process begins inside Gaza, where members of an elite IDF unit will meet Red Cross officials who will have custody of the hostages. This crucial first contact will trigger Israel's initial confirmation of the hostages' identities.
Once the group crosses into Israeli territory, military officials will issue a second public announcement confirming their safe arrival. The freed hostages will then be taken to one of three specially prepared reception centers along the Gaza border - either Zikim, Re'im, or Kerem Shalom - depending on their exit point from Gaza.
The final stage involves transporting the released hostages either by vehicle or helicopter to a predetermined hospital, where they will finally reunite with their waiting families. Military officials will make a final public announcement once the hostages reach the hospital facility.
The entire operation, from first contact in Gaza to arrival at the hospital, is expected to take approximately two hours, according to IDF estimates.
Netanyahu has already begun to pay the price for agreeing to the hostage deal, as Itamar ben Gvir and the far-right Otzma Yehudit party just submitted their resignation form the coalition.
JPost contributed to this article.
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