Doron Steinbrecher expressed her determination never to wear pink again during her first public comments in a video after being released from over 15 months in Hamas captivity in Gaza. A year prior, she appeared in a hostage video wearing a pale rose-colored sweatshirt, but upon her release last month, she was dressed in a bright magenta track suit and appeared pale.
In the video, Steinbrecher, 31, reflected on her experience, stating, “This time, I’m sitting comfortably on a couch with my family watching me in a warm and pleasant place.” She emphasized her resilience, asserting it was important to show that “I’m OK.”
As families and supporters campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages, many were only familiar with their faces from posters. Since January 19, 16 Israelis have been released under a cease-fire agreement with Hamas, bringing their stories to life through video clips and social media posts that reveal both their joy and the suffering they endured.
The urgency of their situation was highlighted when the latest three hostages released were seen in an emaciated state. Relatives reported that many hostages had been deprived of food, leading to significant weight loss and muscle mass reduction, and had limited exposure to sunlight. Some hostages had access to radio or television, which provided comfort as they heard their families campaigning for their release.
Col. Avi Benov, a doctor in the Israeli military’s medical corps, reported that several recently released female hostages had spent the last eight months underground in Hamas tunnels, facing suffocating humidity. He noted that the first seven women released were suffering from “mild starvation,” with some still carrying shrapnel from injuries sustained during the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
Of the roughly 250 captives, many were released during a week-long truce, while some have been killed in captivity. The Israeli government reports that more than 70 hostages remain unaccounted for, with at least 35 believed to be dead. A total of 25 hostages are expected to be released, along with the bodies of eight others, during a six-week cease-fire that began last month, in exchange for about 1,500 Palestinian prisoners.
Some Israeli hostages were forced to appear in videos made by their captors, a practice condemned by rights groups as inhumane and potentially a war crime. Israeli officials have characterized these actions as psychological warfare.
In a previous statement, Hamas’s military wing claimed a hostage had been killed, releasing blurry images of a body. However, Daniella Gilboa, a 20-year-old lookout soldier believed to be dead, was freed on January 25 and later celebrated her release at a party.
Steinbrecher, who was kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza, noted the contrast between her current appearance and the hostage videos, stating, “I’m Doron. I’m 31. I’m no longer in Hamas captivity, and I’m home.” The recently released hostages have largely avoided media attention, with medical professionals emphasizing the importance of privacy for their healing process.
Footage of emotional reunions between hostages and their families has captured the joy of their return. Experts warn that the long captivity has caused both physical and psychological harm, indicating that full rehabilitation will take time.
Some hostages returned with injuries from the October 7 assault. Emily Damari, 28, lost two fingers and suffered a leg injury. She expressed gratitude to supporters during a recent soccer match. Romi Gonen, 24, also suffered from an arm injury and requires surgery.
Gadi Moses, 80, who was kidnapped from Nir Oz, appeared gaunt upon his release on January 30. He pledged to help rehabilitate his community and shared that he maintained a routine during captivity to preserve his mental health. His niece reported that he reassured her upon their reunion, stating, “I’m alive. I’m normal!”
“Loneliness becomes an enemy,” she said, highlighting his efforts to stay positive during his ordeal.