Freed Israeli hostage speaks for first time, says she’s ‘back to her life’ after Hamas captivity
One of three Israeli hostages freed by Hamas speaks out after spending nearly 500 days in captivity, saying she is “back in my life”.
In a post on Instagram, Emily Damari, 28, also wrote: “Thank you, thank you, thank you, I’m the happiest in the world just to be.”
Damari is a dual Israeli-British citizen who lost two fingers during a Hamas operation on October 7, 2023. attack on Israel the Associated Press reported, citing authorities. She was said to be in a stable condition on Sunday after being freed from the Gaza Strip.
“Yesterday I was finally able to hug the Emily I’ve dreamed of,” her mother Mandy Damari said in a statement released Monday. Forum of families of hostages and missing persons, which advocated for the release of prisoners.
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Emily Damari, right, and her mother Mandy are seen together after Emily was freed from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza on Sunday, January 19, 2025. (AP/Israeli Army)
“I am relieved to report that after her release, Emily is doing much better than any of us could have expected,” her mother continued. “In Emily’s own words, she’s the luckiest girl in the world; she’s got her life back.”
Mandy Damari described her daughter’s release as an “incredibly happy moment for our family,” but said “we also have to remember that 94 hostages remain.”
“The ceasefire must continue and all hostages must be returned to their families,” she added.
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Former hostage Emily Damari and her mother Mandy hold a video call with Emily’s brother Tom Damari on Sunday, January 19, after she was released from Hamas captivity.
“As wonderful as it is to see Emily’s resilience, it’s still early days. As you saw yesterday, Emily lost two fingers on her left hand,” Mandy Damari also said. “Now she needs time with her loved ones and doctors as she begins her journey of recovery.”
Damari was one of three hostages released by Hamas on Sunday as part of the operation ceasefire agreement.
In exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank.
Roma Gonen, right, and her mother Merav hold each other near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel after Roma were freed from captivity by Hamas militants in Gaza. (AP/Israeli Army)
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The other two Israeli hostages who were freed were identified as Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and Romi Gonen, 24.
