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Sunday, March 9, 2025
Still banged up, ex-hostages leave hospital to pay homage to campaign to free them
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Freed hostages Emily Damari and Romi Gonen, released from Gaza captivity on January 19, say they left their hospital rooms Saturday night to visit Hostages’ Square after they “could not take it anymore.”
The pair post pictures of themselves at the Tel Aviv rallying point late Saturday night, Gonen in a wheelchair, her left foot wrapped in bandages and Damari with her left hand bandaged.
Both women are currently recovering at Tel Hashomer Hospital after surgeries to deal with injuries sustained on October 7, 2023.
“Yesterday at 12 AM, in the rehabilitation department of Sheba Tel Hashomer Hospital, Romi and I decided that we couldn’t take it anymore. We left the hospital bed and went to Hostages Square—for the first time,” writes Damari. “One square with so much strength, emotion, hope and prayers. I want to thank everybody again for everything you have done for us.”
“We must keep up the urgency that is felt so strongly in this place until every single one of them is home—now!” adds Damari.
She thanks everyone who has asked about them after their surgeries, adding that they have long paths to recovery but “with G-d’s help, we will get through this too.”
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