Emily Damari: ‘I’ve returned to my beloved life’ says freed British-Israeli hostage

British-Israeli national Emily Damari says she has “returned to my beloved life” in her first comments since being released from captivity in Gaza.

The 28-year-old was shot in the hand and dragged from her home in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

She was one of the first three hostages to be released on Sunday as part of the long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

In an Instagram post published following her release, Ms Damari also wrote “love, love, love”, and thanked God, her family and “the best friends I have in this world”.

According to a translation of the message, which is in Hebrew, she also suggests she was able to see some of the reaction on Sunday to her release, saying “you broke my heart with excitement, thank you”.

At the bottom of the message, Ms Damari includes a hand emoji with two of the fingers curled. She lost two fingers after being shot in the hand during her capture.

Ms Damari’s family has also spoken about her delight at her return. They had been told in March 2024 she was still alive but had been given no information about her condition since.

Her mother Mandy, who has spent that time campaigning for her release, said in a statement: “After 471 days Emily is finally home.

“I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name. In Israel, Britain, the United States, and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home.”

She added that while “Emily’s nightmare” is over “the impossible wait” continues for other families.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the release of the three hostages was “wonderful and long overdue”.

Ms Damari’s release – alongside that of Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31- was the first of several due to take place over the next six weeks – if the ceasefire holds.

They will continue until a total of 33 Israeli hostages have been returned and about 1,900 Palestinians have been freed in exchange.