Romi Gonen, Hamas hostage, is being released today

Here's what her father Eitan just posted on Facebook.

Ben Shimoni, who became known as the "Angel of Nova" after saving nine lives by making multiple rescue trips to the festival, was reportedly killed by terrorists while attempting to return for Gonen and others.

Hope came in November 2023 when a released hostage confirmed Gonen was alive, though in poor condition. "Her fingers are barely moving and are changing colors," her family reported, referring to the gunshot wound she sustained during her capture.

Throughout her 15-month captivity, her parents have maintained hope. Her father Eitan describes her as "a magical girl. She's all heart, all love... a justice warrior." He told Reuters, "We are convinced that Romi will be back home, alive."

Before her capture, Gonen was known as a former Scouts counselor who loved music festivals. Now 24, she is among the first three hostages Hamas has agreed to release in the latest exchange deal.

The hostage release is slated for 4:00pm today, and will last for approximately two hours, according to an IDF estimate.

Israel just put the ceasefire into effect less than half an hour ago, although it was supposed to commence at 8:30 am. The reason for the delay was that Hamas already broke the deal, by not providing the names of the hostages it will release 24 hours before their release, as they already agreed to do.