Shoshanna Solomon was The Times of Israel's Startups and Business reporter
Supporters and friends of Emily Damari cheer upon her arrival outside Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, January 19, 2025. (Jack GUEZ / AFP)
Hundreds of people line the roads at the Tel Hashomer hospital as the three released hostages are transported from the IDF helicopter into the building.
Crowds cheer and sing as the vans carrying Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher go past.
Avishag Gadot, 20, was there with a group of national servicewomen.
“I’m waiting to see them return home,” she says.
“There is so much excitement but also sadness for those who are not back yet and for the soldiers who have died.”
Patients from the floor above opened the window to look down.
Released hostage Emily Damari arrives at Tel Hashomer medical center, January 19, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
When the ambulances reached the plaza at the entrance of the hospital there was a loud cheer. And the young women burst into song: Am Israel Chai – the people of Israel live.
The former hostages have now been taken into the hospital to be reunited with family members and checked by medical staff. They have their own rooms with facilities and will stay at the hospital for tests until needed.
We can't do this work alone.
The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident – ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded – I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.
There, I spoke with Shilgit, the head of an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Standing outside her destroyed center, Shilgit said it was a miracle that no children were hurt and spoke about the community coming together in the hours since.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, January 19, 2025
