Who were the three captives of Israel who were freed?

A young woman described as “very happy when she dances” is among three Israeli women freed after 471 days of being held by Hamas.

Romi Gonen, 24, was caught trying to escape the Nova music festival when it was targeted by a group of militants as part of the October 7, 2023 attack.

He was released along with Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a veterinary nurse, and Emily Damari, 28, who has dual British-Israeli citizenship.

It was confirmed on Sunday afternoon that three hostages were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas in Gaza.

Their release is part of the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas, which began on Sunday. 33 hostages will be released in the next six weeks.

Romi had traveled from his home in Kfar Verradim, in northern Israel, to the Nova festival, located in the Negev Desert in the south.

More than 360 people were killed at the festival when Hamas fighters crossed the border, 2km (1.3 miles) to the west. A deserted area that offers partygoers limited cover and exit routes blocked by gunmen.

When the siren went off as the attack began, Romi called her family. Her mother, Meirav, recalled hearing gunshots and shouting in Arabic during the last phone call with her daughter.

Romi was stopped by Hamas terrorists when he tried to escape.

In June, his mother spoke to the UN Human Rights Council asking for international help to free the hostages.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said he went to the festival “to do what he loves, to dance” – something he has studied for 12 years, performing solo and becoming an “amazing choreographer”.

A video posted on a family forum last November described her as “a girl with a big smile, a bright light, a very good friend”.

The forum also said that Romi’s bedroom in his home “remains as it was when he left”, awaiting his return.

Doron, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was kidnapped from her apartment in Kibbutz Kfar Aza – near the northwestern border of Gaza – when Hamas attacked.

The community, one of many Israeli settlements along the border, was heavily targeted by armed forces during the October 7 attack.

Israeli officials said Hamas burned homes and killed civilians, including entire families, and kidnapped people.

When the attack began, Doron contacted his family and friends via WhatsApp saying he was hiding under a bed as the militants continued, the Forum for Hostages and Missing Families said.

In his last message, he was heard crying “they’ve got me” as gunshots rang out in the background.

Doron’s family has not received information about his whereabouts for nearly four months.

In May of last year, his sister, Yamit Ashkenazi, wrote a touching letter on the forum of missing families, calling him “my sunshine”.

“I wish you could feel the power we are sending you,” it reads.

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

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

Speaking to the BBC in November 2023, Doron’s sister Yamit talked about the new tattoo. It read: “Like the sun we will rise again”, but the other rays of the sun were not there.

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

Emily, a 28-year-old British-Israeli, was also arrested in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October 2023.

He was shot in the hand and taken to Gaza from his home when he was attacked, and he also saw his dog shot and killed.

His mother, Mandy Damari, was also at the kibbutz in her separate home on October 7. Mrs. Damari hid in a safe place and was saved by a bullet hitting the door handle, which prevented the attackers from entering.

As this happened, Emily sent her mother a text message containing a single heart emoji – it was the last time she would communicate with them.

In December, Mrs Damari told the BBC how worried she was about the circumstances her daughter was facing. Sunday was the first time we had heard from Emily since March.

As the news of his release came, said a source close to his family that it has been “471 torturous days but 24 torturous hours”.

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

Ms Damari was born and raised in the UK, and met her husband on holiday in Israel when she was 20.

Emily, the youngest of four children, has a strong connection to the UK – she is a Tottenham Hotspur fan and used to visit relatives, attend concerts, shop and pub here.

Ms Damari previously told the BBC that Emily was “the core of our family and the core is missing”.

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