British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari said she had “come back to life” in her first comments since her release from captivity in Gaza.
The 28-year-old was shot in the hand and dragged from her home in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
She was one of the first three hostages to be released on Sunday, after spending 471 days in captivity, as part of the long-awaited operation. Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In an Instagram post shared after her release, Emily also wrote, “I love, love, love,” and thanked God, her family, and “the closest friends I have in this world.”
According to a translation of the message in Hebrew, she also notes that she was able to see some of the reactions on Sunday to her release, saying “it touched my heart.”
At the bottom of the message, Emily includes an emoji of a hand with two fingers folded. She lost two fingers after being shot in the hand during her arrest.
Her release – along with that of Rumi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31 – was the first of several scheduled to take place over the next six weeks – if the ceasefire holds. In return, 90 Palestinian prisoners were released.
The hostage release process will continue until 33 hostages are returned and about 1,900 Palestinians are released in return.
Emily's family were told in March 2024 that she was still alive but have not been given any information about her condition since then.
Her mother Mandy, who spent that time campaigning for her release, said in a statement that her daughter was doing much better than expected after her release.
She said she was happy that through Emily's release “the world was given a glimpse of her feisty, charismatic personality.”
“Yesterday, I was finally able to give Emily the hug I've been dreaming of,” Ms Damary said.
“From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the many people who played a role in bringing Emily home and offered their support to me and my family.”
She added that “although it is wonderful to see Emily's resilience, these are still early days” and that she “now needs time with her loved ones and doctors as she begins her road to recovery.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the release of the three hostages was “wonderful and long overdue.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy told BBC Radio 4's Today program that he was “delighted and happy” and “deeply moved” to hear Emily's words, following her release – having been close to her family throughout her ordeal.
Lammy added that it was important to acknowledge that there were still hostages being held and British citizens, as well Nadav PopplewellHe died.
Adam Rose, a lawyer who represents hostage families including Emily's, said she “seemed to radiate joy” but her release would be “a moment of jubilation and more torture and fear for the families of the other hostages who didn't get out.” .
Among those still in captivity are others with close ties to the UK. Among them is Elie SharabiWho was held hostage during the attacks of October 7, 2023 in which his wife and two daughters were killed.
It is not known if he is still alive, as 34 of the hostages held by Hamas are presumed dead. His brother Yossi was also taken hostage and later killed in captivity, which Hamas said was the result of an Israeli airstrike.
The fate of Oded Lifshitz, the father of 84-year-old British-Israeli citizen Sharon Lifshitz, also remains unknown. Her mother, Yocheved, Oded's wife for many years, He was released more than a year ago As part of the previous hostage release deal.
Describing her feelings as she awaited news of her father, Sharon told the BBC's Woman's Hour programme: “I'm fine. Since October 7, we have become accustomed to a mixture of joy, absolute terror and pain.”
She said seeing the three women released on Sunday was “pure joy,” adding that although she knew there was “more heartache to come,” the moments when families were reunited were “wonderful.”
Avinatan Or, whose mother is a British-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped from the Supernova music festival with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani. She was rescued from central Gaza in June 2024, and revealed that they were separated during the kidnapping.
