The release of three Israeli women by Hamas took a surprising turn when they were handed gift bags, sparking outrage in the Hebrew media. The bags, filled with unexpected items, raised questions about the intention behind this gesture as the women, all smiles, received them from their captors.
\Hamas released a video showing 28-year-old Emily Damari, 23-year-old Romi Gonen, and 30-year-old Doron Stein Brecher receiving gift bags from Hamas militants bearing the logo of the Al-Qassam Brigades.
In the video, the three women appear smiling and calm, suggesting they had been treated well during their captivity.
The gift bags, which sparked online debate, reportedly contained a certificate of release signed with the phrase “Release Decision” and featured photos of the women from their time in captivity along with a map of the Gaza Strip. Some media outlets speculated that this gesture might have been part of a propaganda move or symbolic “religious play” by Hamas, though the purpose remained unclear initially.
This release occurred as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which led to the release of three Israeli women and 90 Palestinian prisoners. The agreement also includes the release of 33 more Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners over the next six weeks.