January 19, 2025 | Flash Brief

After 471 Days of Captivity, Hamas Releases Three Israeli Women on First Day of Ceasefire

January 19, 2025 | Flash Brief

After 471 Days of Captivity, Hamas Releases Three Israeli Women on First Day of Ceasefire

Latest Developments

  • Women Held Captive by Hamas for 15 Months: The Iran-backed terrorist group Hamas released three Israeli women on January 19 who its terrorists abducted from Israel into Gaza on October 7, 2023. The transfer marked the beginning of the first phase of a fragile three-phase ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hamas terrorists, wearing military uniforms with green bandanas and carrying rifles, paraded in the streets and mobbed the International Red Cross vehicles as Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and British Israeli Emily Damari, 28, were handed over after an hours-long delay to be transported to Israel.
  • Deal Nearly Falls Apart Hours Before Exchange: The deal appeared on the verge of collapse when Hamas missed two deadlines earlier in the day to provide Israel with a list of the three hostages to be released. The ceasefire, which was originally scheduled to begin locally at 8:30 a.m., instead began at 11:15 a.m. when the list was delivered. Hamas blamed the delay on “technical reasons in the field.” During this time, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, “The IDF is continuing to strike now in Gaza, as long as Hamas is not fulfilling its obligations to the deal.” In a televised address on January 18, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had received assurances of support from the Biden and incoming Trump administrations for Israel resuming military operations in Gaza if Hamas breaks the agreement.
  • Israel to Release Thousands of Palestinian Terrorists, Recovers Body of Soldier Killed in 2014: There are 94 remaining hostages held by Gaza, with some believed to be already deceased. Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in phase one of the deal, according to a list released by Israel, during which three or four will be released each week over the next six weeks. During the following two phases, that are yet to be negotiated, Hamas is expected to return what would be then be 61 remaining hostages. As part of the deal, in return for the three civilian women released today, Israel is releasing 95 convicted Palestinian prisoners on January 19 and is set to release nearly 2,000 in total, including approximately 100 serving life sentences for terrorism. As a measure of the country’s commitment to every Israeli held in Gaza, earlier on January 19, Israel revealed that a special operation had recovered the body of IDF Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, who had died in combat during the 2014 Gaza War and his remains abducted by Hamas.

FDD Expert Response

“The true moral asymmetry is being laid bare, yet again, in this hostage agreement. Innocents who were snatched from their beds or from a music festival on October 7, 2023, by Palestinian terrorists and who have been kept in unspeakable captivity since are being ransomed at the cost of a far greater number of Palestinian terrorists no longer safely under lock and key. The relief we feel at seeing the release of these three hostages is tempered by the fact that more than a month lies ahead of us before all of those named in phase one of the deal will be free. And even then, more than 60 hostages will remain in Hamas’s dungeons.” Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“In Hamas’s view, it must project an image of victory to justify the destruction of the Gaza Strip and the significant losses to its organization during the war. Hamas exemplified this strategy with the three hostages in an orchestrated spectacle involving cameras, armed terrorists, and a volatile crowd. Make no mistake that Hamas will attempt to repeat this image of ‘victory’ with each hostage-for-terrorist swap that will occur over the next 42 days.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Millions of Israelis waited throughout the day for news that Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher had been transferred to the IDF from Gaza and were on their way to meet their families and receive support after their long-suffering in Gaza. It is an important moment for Israel. The freedom of the first three hostages as part of the ceasefire deal is an important moment for Israel and is a first step toward the long-anticipated freedom of 94 hostages, some of them deceased, who are still held in Gaza. The Israeli public will remain traumatized by the difficulty of waiting for each release, which is expected to take place once a week for six weeks. However, the hostage release on January 19 is a rare moment of hope for many Israelis.” Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

‘On Guard Ahead of Gaza Deal:’ Houthi Missiles, Stabbing Attack Hit Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘Hamas Finally Agreed’: Israel-Hamas Reach Second Hostage Ceasefire Deal After 15 Months of War,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hostage Recovery Deal Approved by Israeli Security Cabinet,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Strikes Hamas Cell in Jenin Amid PA Crackdown,” FDD Flash Brief

Issues:

Issues:

Iran-backed Terrorism Israel Israel at War

Topics:

Topics:

Iran Israel Hamas Palestinians United Kingdom Gaza Strip Joe Biden Donald Trump Israel Defense Forces Gaza City Mark Dubowitz Benjamin Netanyahu Houthi movement Jenin War International Committee of the Red Cross