In order to communicate

Ex-hostage learned Arabic with Hamas

The former Hamas hostage Romi Gonen(Bild: AP)

Former Hamas hostage Romi Gonen (24) learned Arabic during her captivity in order to be able to communicate with the terrorists. They spoke neither English nor Hebrew, said Gonen's father.

"Standing up, talking, walking - you needed permission for everything. And how do you get that? By learning their language," Eitan Gonen told the Israeli news site ynet. On the first day of her release, the 24-year-old spoke almost only Arabic.

"We told her that we didn't want to overwhelm her or make her uncomfortable. We won't ask any questions and will let her deal with the matter in her own way." If Romi wants a hug, she will get one; if she needs distance, she will get it. In the meantime, she has spoken to psychologists.

Eitan Gonen(Bild: AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Emily Damari (right) with her mother(Bild: AFP/Israeli Army)

Cohesion among each other
In captivity, Roni got to know Emily Damari, who was released with her, and became friends with her. "They were the whole world to each other in captivity". Even now, the two women still do a lot together. "We have a new family member," said Eitan Gonen.

Meanwhile, Israeli soldier Naama Levy, who was released on Saturday, also spoke about their close bond. During the first 50 days of her captivity, she was almost constantly alone. After that, she met other army scouts and civilians. "We gave each other strength and hope. We held each other until the day we were released and afterwards."

The next hostages are scheduled to be released on Thursday, and Hamas has sent Israel's government a new list. The list includes civilian Arbel Yehud, soldier Agam Berger and another hostage. In return, Israel's authorities are releasing Palestinian prisoners from prisons.