471 days. That’s how long Hamas has held Israeli men, women, and children in captivity. Today, after Hamas mostly quit playing games; the first three of the initial 33 hostages, Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonin, and Emily Damari, are released.

Hamas confirmed on Sunday that 28-year-old Emily Damari, 23-year-old Romi Gonen, and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher have been released on the first day of phase one of the hostage-ceasefire deal.

The deal will see 33 hostages released in the first phase in exchange for the release of security prisoners, humanitarian aid, and an IDF withdrawal from some areas in Gaza.

Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for every Israeli female soldier Hamas releases. Hostages expected to be released in the first phase are those who fall under the humanitarian category, such as women, children, elderly, or wounded.

If this reads like a lop-sided deal it’s because, IMO, it is. That said, I’m also positive that trying to get ALL the hostages released immediately would’ve meant all negotiations would’ve come to a screeching halt. However, as we’ve seen over the last few days, Hamas isn’t done playing games. One of the delays was due to their claims of “technical issues” with correct spellings of names and other infuriating excuses. 

BREAKING: After withholding the hostage list which delayed the ceasefire, Hamas claims it will release Emily Damari, Romi Gonen & Doron Steinbrecher today.

If Hamas follows through the ceasefire will be in effect & hostages will be scheduled to be released on a weekly basis https://t.co/bCpknsN4yr pic.twitter.com/P4nqQMBABe

— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) January 19, 2025

The International Red Cross is involved in the hand-off. As we noted here, their credibility regarding the Israeli hostages is in the toilet, especially when they had the utter gall to lecture the families of hostages for being concerned about getting needed medications to them. I’d guess the only reason they are involved is because that’s what Hamas pushed for. 

There is hope, however the Red Cross has done NOTHING for the hostages until now. I don't trust them for a bit, never ever will I fund them again. Not a single cent. https://t.co/bSsThyD1Eo

— Anja 🎗🇮🇱 (@AnjaAsbroeck) January 19, 2025

The Bibas family is on the list of the 33 hostages to be released. This young boy has spent TWO birthdays in captivity. Kfir has known nothing else since October 7, 2023. 

"Dear Israel. If Kfir and Ariel Bibas are not alive, blow up everything. Zero mercy." – The World. pic.twitter.com/mj3ScU2I1U

— Afshine Emrani MD FACC (@afshineemrani) January 16, 2025

Among the 33 to be released this week (I HOPE) are American hostages. 

Two of the three remaining American hostages are among the 33 captives expected to be released by Hamas as part of the cease-fire agreement the terror group made with Israel that went into effect Sunday, after 15 months in captivity.

Israel confirmed Sunday Sagui Dekel-Chen and Keith Siegel are on Hamas’ list of hostages to be freed in the first phase of the deal — which took effect at 11:15 a.m. local time on Sunday following an hours-long delay.

In addition to the Americans, the Bibas family — including 2-year-old Kfir and 5-year-old Ariel — are on the list of Gaza-held captives that will be freed.

We’ve ALL been waiting and praying for everyone to come home. 

https://twitter.com/Israel/status/1880893973218345077

Sadly, and yes infuriatingly, at least four American hostages will only come home in a coffin. Instead of lecturing Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu about making nice with terrorists, the Biden Administration should’ve been working 24/7 to get everyone free. Instead they kept pushing for the two-state solution crap. 

According to reports, of all the remaining hostages, only 60 are alive. 

And Hamas refuses to say who is and who isn’t among the living.

To the last moment, Hamas is terrorizing the hostages. Heavily armed men and crowds of screaming Gazans surround the vehicles with the hostages. pic.twitter.com/a8rFvwry7h

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) January 19, 2025

While they and their terrorist ilk still freely roam around Gaza. 

pic.twitter.com/kejpK1FTxL

— @amuse (@amuse) January 19, 2025

Thankfully the hand over went smoothly. 

Israelis cheer and celebrate at the news that Romi, Emily, and Doron are coming home. pic.twitter.com/T0wWFvpZ9x

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) January 19, 2025

Three young women are finally coming home. 

“After 471 agonizing days in captivity, Emily, Doron, and Romi are finally returning home,” the Hostages Families Forum, a group representing some families of the captives, said in a statement, referring to the three women released into Israeli custody in the first part of the cease-fire deal. “Their return reminds us of our profound responsibility to continue working towards the release of everyone – until the last hostage returns home,” the statement added.

Romi, Doron, Emily – we have waited and waited to welcome you home. An entire nation and people is crying with relief ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/rojkxaW5Oz

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) January 19, 2025

Let us hope and pray that the rest of the hostages will soon follow. 

Feature Photo Credit: Yellow ribbon with Star of David via iStock, cropped and modified