For more than 470 days, Eitan Gonen publicly pleaded with his daughter to stay alive while in Hamas captivity.
DCPS introduces ‘Be Safe. Be Seen.’ campaign to prevent students from getting hit by carsJacksonville City Council introduces resolution questioning General Counsel’s role amid veto dispute over trash contractPutnam County deputy helped save an unresponsive child. Then they found drugs, guns inside the home Eitan Gonen , whose daughter Romi was abducted by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, 2023, poses for a portrait in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.
Israeli Romi Gonen, who was kidnapped in Gaza by Hamas on Oct. 7, steps out of a van before boarding a helicopter after being released from Gaza, southern Israel, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. “I know that my interview back then gave Romi a lot of strength, a lot of hope, something to cling on,” he said.to be freed from Gaza and one of seven women so far released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire, a long and uncertain process aimed at eventually ending the war. Some 250 people were kidnapped during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. About 90 hostages remain in Gaza, although at least a third of them are believed to be dead.
“The rehabilitation status just started,” he said. Because she spent so long in captivity, the family isn't pressuring her to speak. Instead, they are trying to give her autonomy and control, and to let her take things at her own pace, he said.. That morning, her sister and mother, Merav Leshem Gonen, spent nearly five hours speaking to Romi as militants marauded through the festival grounds.
Something else that helped her stay alive was the support from other hostages, Eitan Gonen said. For a period, Romi was held with Emily Damari, a British-Israeli hostage who was released along with her. “I believe God set it up somehow that Emily and Romi ... had each other to survive. ... It’s a dynamic duo,” he said.
Religion Merav Leshem Gonen Emily Damari Eitan Gonen World News Ami Benov Naama Levy
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Everybody is crying’: Israelis rejoice as 3 hostages returned after more than 470 days in GazaCarrying her small daughter, an Israeli mother stood amid a crowd of people next to the helipad of the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, which on Sunday received the three former hostages released in a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.
Read more »
Semi Carrying Wood Chips Catches Fire on E-470 in AuroraA semi carrying wood chips caught fire on the southbound lanes of E-470 in Aurora, Colorado, prompting a response from multiple fire and emergency agencies. The driver reported a flat tire as the possible cause of the fire, which began in the wheel. Firefighters used water tenders due to the remote location and lack of nearby hydrants. The hazardous materials team safely offloaded diesel from the semi's tank. No injuries were reported.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas live updates: Israel and Hamas begin ceasefire after last-minute delayIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will resume fighting if it needs to as he demands Hamas supply the names of three female hostages expected to be released. NBC News' Raf Sanchez reports that Netanyahu said both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump played a role in bringing the ceasefire about.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas live updates: Israel and Hamas begin a ceasefire after last-minute delayIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will resume fighting if it needs to as he demands Hamas supply the names of three female hostages expected to be released. NBC News' Raf Sanchez reports that Netanyahu said both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump played a role in bringing the ceasefire about.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas live updates: Ceasefire delayed as Netanyahu demands hostage list from HamasIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will resume fighting if it needs to as he demands Hamas supply the names of three female hostages expected to be released. NBC News' Raf Sanchez reports that Netanyahu said both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump played a role in bringing the ceasefire about.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas live updates: Hamas publishes names of hostages to be released after delay in ceasefireIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will resume fighting if it needs to as he demands Hamas supply the names of three female hostages expected to be released. NBC News' Raf Sanchez reports that Netanyahu said both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump played a role in bringing the ceasefire about.
Read more »