Relatives of 3 hostages set to be released express joy, but warn: ‘It’s not done until it’s done’

Relatives of Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher — the three Israeli hostages set to be released later today — express their joy that their loved ones are coming home, but say there’s a “long road ahead.”

Eitan Gonen tells the Kan public broadcaster that while Israeli officials have not provided information on his daughter’s condition, “Romi is finally coming home, alive, there is nothing more joyful than that.”

Romi Gonen’s friends learn she will be released today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gf8Nq7XVXQ

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) January 19, 2025

A source close to the Damari family tells the BBC that it has been a “torturous 471 days but a particularly torturous 24 hours.”

“All Emily’s mum Mandy wants to do is hug Emily. But she won’t believe it until she sees it,” the source tells the British broadcaster.

“Until she’s out and Mandy can actually see that she’s out. It hasn’t happened until it happens. It’s not done until it’s done. And there’s a long road ahead,” the source says.

Michal Mayo, a cousin of Doron Steinbrecher, breaks down in tears during an interview with the Kan public broadcaster as the host tells her that the release of Doron later in the day has been made public.

“How good that she is coming home,” Mayo says.