RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) — Eitan Gonen, father of Romi Gonen, who was held captive by Hamas for over 470 days, expressed his relief and joy upon her release on Jan. 19. Romi, 24, was among the first hostages to be freed from Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement. The exchange involved the release of seven women in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
During the ceasefire's initial phase, Hamas agreed to gradually release hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners. The process is ongoing, with more hostages expected to be released in the coming days. However, approximately 90 hostages are still believed to be in captivity in Gaza, with some feared dead.
Upon their release, it was noted that the women, including Romi, were in poor physical condition due to prolonged captivity, suffering from mild starvation and vitamin deficiencies. Dr. Ami Benov, who is overseeing their care, stated that a lengthy recovery process lies ahead for the former hostages.
Romi's family is focused on her rehabilitation and well-being, allowing her to dictate the pace of her recovery. They are providing her with autonomy and support as she adjusts to life after captivity. Romi's survival during her ordeal was attributed to her learning Arabic to communicate with her captors, as well as the support she received from fellow hostages.
Despite Romi's release, Eitan Gonen continues to advocate for the return of all remaining hostages and urges families to maintain pressure on the Israeli government. He emphasizes the importance of keeping the plight of hostages in the public eye to ensure they are not forgotten.
For now, Eitan is cherishing moments spent with his daughter, relishing simple activities like being together in silence, hugging, and watching her. After enduring the anguish of his daughter's captivity, he is grateful for the opportunity to reconnect and support her on the journey to recovery.
