Following her release from a prolonged ordeal of over 470 days in Gaza, Emily Damari made her entrance into Sheba Medical Center, near Tel Aviv, warmly greeted by an Israeli flag draped around her. Video footage captured the moment, showcasing the 28-year-old displaying a hand gesture with her index and little fingers due to the loss of her other fingers from a gunshot wound sustained during the attack by Hamas.
On Monday morning, Damari took to Instagram to convey her heartfelt thanks to God, her family, and friends while expressing her immense happiness at being alive. She proclaimed herself "the happiest person in the world" after being freed alongside two other hostages — Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31 — who were also taken during the tragic Hamas-led offensive on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities.
Footage shared by the Israeli military depicted the emotional reunions of the rescued individuals with their families, which drew expressions of relief from Israeli news anchors as the first images emerged from Gaza. Despite the joyful scenes highlighted in the media, there remains uncertainty regarding the women's health and overall well-being following their harrowing experience.
6 Comments
Rotfront
Focusing on her hand gesture is insensitive and trivializes the real human cost of this conflict.
Matzomaster
True heroes. They endured unimaginable suffering and emerged with incredible strength.
Karamba
We are stronger than hate. This victory belongs to all who believe in freedom.
KittyKat
Happiest person in the world"? What about the families who lost loved ones due to Israeli aggression?
Noir Black
May their ordeal remind us of the value of human life and the need for peaceful coexistence.
Muchacho
470 days? What about the thousands of Palestinians suffering under Israeli occupation for decades?