Sen. Shevrin Jones Celebrates Release of Three Israeli Hostages Under Ceasefire Deal

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- Senate Democrat Shevrin "Shev" Jones (D-Miami Gardens) celebrated the release of three Israeli hostages on Sunday following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

"Three women who have suffered 471 days unimaginable torture at the hands of Hamas are now home in Israel.[Ribbon] 94 for hostages remain in Gaza," Jones said. "As this ceasefire continues, I look forward to celebrating each and every hostage’s return. I pray they find peace in the arms of their loved ones.

The three hostages, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, were released by Hamas to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). All three women reportedly received medical treatment and were in good health after entering Israeli territory.

In exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees early Monday.

Gonen was kidnapped from the Nova music festival in October 2023. Damari and Steinbrecher were also kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza that month.

Overall, Hamas held all three women in captivity each for 471 days.

The move comes after former President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas last week. President Trump also recently said there would be "ALL HELL TO PAY" if hostages were not released by his inauguration date.

Under its terms, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in phase one of the ceasefire, which began Sunday and is anticipated to last 42 days. Four more hostages would be released on day seven with the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.

Israel is expected to release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners overall in phase one of the deal.

Two other phases are also being negotiated, but the ceasefire or release of more hostages is not guaranteed beyond phase one. Subsequent phases could also lead to an end to the war.

The announcement comes more than a year after Hamas launched a terrorist attack on the Jewish State on Oct. 7, 2023. The assault, the deadliest on Jews since the Holocaust, resulted in the murder of more than 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 hostages.

Jones represents Senate District 34 which includes Miami Gardens. Jones won the SD 34 general election after it was canceled in 2022. He also already declared his reelection bid for the seat for 2026.