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Today, Canada’s Jewish community and its many allies are highly emotional, breathing a sigh of relief with the return of the first three of 33 Israeli hostages set to be released from captivity in Gaza in the first phase of the recently concluded ceasefire-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

After 471 harrowing days of captivity at the hands of Hamas terrorists, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were finally freed earlier today and are now back on Israeli soil, reunited with their families.

All three were brutally kidnapped at gunpoint following the Hamas invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Romi, a dancer, was shot and abducted at the Nova Festival. Emily, a dual British-Israeli citizen, was violently taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Doron, a dedicated veterinary nurse, was also kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza. Since then, each of these women has endured unimaginable physical and mental suffering.

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is profoundly relieved to see Romi, Emily and Doron return alive to Israel, while, at the same time, expressing our ongoing deep concern for all those still cruelly held by Hamas. As we anxiously await the long-awaited release of other hostages in the coming weeks, we remain steadfast in our prayers for the freedom of all the captives.

Am Yisrael Chai.

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