**Emily Damari, released after a lengthy ordeal in Gaza, emphasizes the support from family and friends as she embarks on her recovery journey.**
**Released Hostage Emily Damari Expresses Joy After 471 Days in Captivity**
**Released Hostage Emily Damari Expresses Joy After 471 Days in Captivity**
**The British-Israeli national shares her emotional return to freedom following a significant hostage release.**
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli national, has joyfully declared that she "came back to life" in her first remarks after being freed from captivity in Gaza. The 28-year-old was abducted from her home in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. After spending 471 days as a hostage, she was released on Sunday alongside Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, as part of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In an emotional Instagram post, Emily expressed her love and gratitude, stating “I love, I love, I love,” thanking God, her family, and her closest friends. Featuring a hand emoji with two curled fingers, her message subtly referenced the loss of two fingers she suffered during her time in captivity.
Her release was part of a broader agreement, leading to the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners, and is expected to pave the way for further exchanges over the next six weeks, with a target of freeing 33 hostages and around 1,900 Palestinians in return.
Emily's family received confirmation of her survival in March 2024 but had not been informed about her condition until now. Her mother, Mandy Damari, who relentlessly campaigned for Emily's release, is relieved and elated to finally embrace her daughter. “Yesterday, I was finally able to give Emily the hug that I have been dreaming of,” she conveyed in a heartfelt statement, taking a moment to thank all those who helped in the quest for her daughter’s freedom.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the hostages’ release as "wonderful and long overdue," while Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his delight and emotions upon hearing Emily's words after her release. He emphasized the ongoing plight of remaining hostages, including Nadav Popplewell, who tragically died.
Adam Rose, a lawyer representing hostage families, shared that Emily seemed to be "radiating joy," yet her release contrasts sharply with the ongoing suffering of the families still waiting for their loved ones. Among those still captive are individuals with UK ties, including Eli Sharabi, whose family has suffered grave losses since his abduction.
The emotional mix of reunion and sorrow continues for many families, as personal stories unfold amidst the backdrop of longstanding conflict. Sharone Lifschitz, whose 84-year-old father remains missing, expressed her conflicting emotions about witnessing joy for others amid their uncertainty.
As the situation evolves, the hope of more reunions lies ahead, while the heartache of those still in captivity lingers heavily in the air.
In an emotional Instagram post, Emily expressed her love and gratitude, stating “I love, I love, I love,” thanking God, her family, and her closest friends. Featuring a hand emoji with two curled fingers, her message subtly referenced the loss of two fingers she suffered during her time in captivity.
Her release was part of a broader agreement, leading to the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners, and is expected to pave the way for further exchanges over the next six weeks, with a target of freeing 33 hostages and around 1,900 Palestinians in return.
Emily's family received confirmation of her survival in March 2024 but had not been informed about her condition until now. Her mother, Mandy Damari, who relentlessly campaigned for Emily's release, is relieved and elated to finally embrace her daughter. “Yesterday, I was finally able to give Emily the hug that I have been dreaming of,” she conveyed in a heartfelt statement, taking a moment to thank all those who helped in the quest for her daughter’s freedom.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the hostages’ release as "wonderful and long overdue," while Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his delight and emotions upon hearing Emily's words after her release. He emphasized the ongoing plight of remaining hostages, including Nadav Popplewell, who tragically died.
Adam Rose, a lawyer representing hostage families, shared that Emily seemed to be "radiating joy," yet her release contrasts sharply with the ongoing suffering of the families still waiting for their loved ones. Among those still captive are individuals with UK ties, including Eli Sharabi, whose family has suffered grave losses since his abduction.
The emotional mix of reunion and sorrow continues for many families, as personal stories unfold amidst the backdrop of longstanding conflict. Sharone Lifschitz, whose 84-year-old father remains missing, expressed her conflicting emotions about witnessing joy for others amid their uncertainty.
As the situation evolves, the hope of more reunions lies ahead, while the heartache of those still in captivity lingers heavily in the air.
