Emily Damari Reunited with Family After Captivity in Gaza

Emily Damari, a dual British-Israeli citizen, expressed her happiness upon being released from captivity in Gaza after 15 months. She was among the first three hostages freed as part of a ceasefire pact between Hamas and Israel. During her abduction, which occurred during a Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, she tragically lost two fingers. Following her release on Sunday, Emily thanked her family and the large movement that advocated for the hostages' freedom, revealing her emotional state through an Instagram story that included the message, “I’m the happiest in the world,” along with a “rock on” emoji, referencing her injury.

The celebrations surrounding the ceasefire agreement have swept through Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, with around 90 Palestinian prisoners also released from Israeli jails as part of the arrangement. Amid the festivities, families in Gaza began to return to their homes, even as Israel's military operations had resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Footage showed Hamas delivering Emily, her friend Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen, another hostage taken from a music festival. Upon their arrival in Israel, emotional reunions took place at Sheba Hospital, with crowds of supporters gathered to celebrate. Emily’s mother, Mandy Damari, who endured the anguish of her daughter's kidnapping, was able to embrace her at the hospital, reaffirming the need for the continued effort to free the remaining hostages.

In a heartfelt statement, Mandy Damari highlighted her daughter's resilience, expressing gratitude to those who supported their family during the ordeal. She celebrated Emily's spirit, stating that her daughter was doing better than anticipated but emphasized the importance of continuing the effort to secure the release of the other hostages still captive. Both Mandy and Romi's mother publicly advocated for the freedom of other detainees, acknowledging the emotional complexity of their joy amidst the suffering of others.

In the aftermath, UK officials, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, recognized the significance of Emily's release while calling for the liberation of all remaining hostages. Lammy expressed his personal connection to the Damari family and reflected on the emotional impact of Emily’s first words upon her freedom, celebrating the hope that her release symbolizes.