There were celebrations across the British Jewish community after Emily Damari, 28, a dual Israeli and British citizen, was released by Hamas after being held captive for 470 days.
Hamas terrorists originally kidnapped Damari from her flat in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023.
The terrorists shot her in the hand, shot her beloved cockapoo Choocha, and took her to Gaza blindfolded and at gunpoint, using Damari’s own car as transportation.
Images of her bandaged hand, which many say now resembles the sign language for “I love you”, have reverberated across social media and have become a symbol of resilience, as well as a sticker emoji.
Mandy Damari, Emily’s mother, has been tirelessly advocating for her release, including at a large October 7th memorial ceremony held in Hyde Park last year.
Following Emily’s release, Mandy said: “I was finally able to give Emily the hug that I have been dreaming of.
“From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the many people who have played a role in bringing Emily home and given their support to me and my family.”
Emily, who was released alongside two other hostages, is a devoted fan of the Tottenham Hotspur, and supporters have been chanting her name for months at games and releasing yellow balloons into the sky.
She thanked those fans in a tweet released today, accompanied by a picture of herself with a Tottenham Scarf.
Her mother said: “[Emily] was so touched to hear about all the amazing people who regularly released yellow balloons during matches and tied yellow ribbons around the stadium and is so proud to be known as ‘One Of Our Own’.”
“Her wish now is for the remaining 94 hostages, including the eight British linked, to come home as soon as possible!”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer – whose government was criticised by Mandy for their actions over a ceasefire deal – released a statement after the hostage release was announced.
He said: “The release of three hostages today is wonderful and long-overdue news after months of agony for them and their families.”
Romi Gonen, 24, was another hostage who was released alongside Damari and veterinary nurse Doron Steinbrecher, 31.
According to the Daily Mail, Gonen said: “You don’t understand what your daughter has meant to me all this time.”
The fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to unfold over 45 days, in which Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages—some alive and some dead—in exchange for almost 2000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences for murder.
The next four hostages scheduled for release this Sunday are said to be all female, out of the seven remaining women on the list Hamas has provided: soldiers Liri Albag, 19, Na’ama Levy, 19, Danielle Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 20, Agam Berger, 19, and civilians Arbel Yehud, 29, and Shiri Silverman Bibas, 33.
Hamas has not revealed which of the hostages are alive and which have died or been executed in captivity, and will inform families on the day of release.
A haunting video posted on Hamas’ website shows a terrorist handing Damari, Gonen and Steinbrecher “goodie bags” with pictures they took of them while imprisoned, a map of Gaza, and a “completion certificate”.
Credit: Images by Jocelin Weiss
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