After a harrowing 471 days, Emily Damari, a British-Israeli national, has finally been reunited with her family. The 28-year-old was among the first three hostages released on Sunday as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Her mother, Mandy, had spent over a year tirelessly campaigning for her daughter’s freedom, never losing hope that this day would come.
On October 7, 2023, Emily was shot in the hand, injured by shrapnel, and dragged from her home in southern Israel by Hamas militants.
She also witnessed the tragic death of her dog, Choocha, who was shot during the attack. For the Damari family, the past 15 months have been an agonizing time of uncertainty, with no contact from Emily after the initial attack.
The emotional moment of their reunion was captured on a video call, where Emily, wearing a bandage around her hand and missing two fingers, shared a joyful hug with her mother.
As the pair spoke, the relief and happiness were evident on their faces. “After 471 days, Emily is finally home,” said Mandy, who thanked everyone who had fought for her daughter’s release across the globe. “Thank you for bringing Emily home.”
Although Emily’s ordeal is over, her mother’s plea for the release of all hostages continues.
“Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to those still waiting to come home,” Mandy added, emphasizing the ongoing struggle of other families still awaiting news of their loved ones.
Emily’s cousin, Tony Moss, expressed his immense relief at her release, but also highlighted the need for other hostages to be freed.
He described the past 471 days as filled with “anxiety” and shared that seeing Emily back with her mother was a deeply emotional moment. “It’s a huge relief, but we need to get the other hostages out,” he said, visibly moved.
In a statement, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the release of Emily and the other hostages as “wonderful and long overdue,” praising the tireless efforts of their families in securing their release.
Emily’s release marks a significant milestone for her family, but it comes with an undeniable sadness.
While Emily was in captivity, her British grandfather passed away, a loss she will now face upon her return. Despite the challenges, Emily’s family is hopeful that the scars of separation will heal with her safe return.
Mandy Damari, reflecting on the past 15 months, said, “It’s like a piece of my heart wasn’t there. But now, I can finally hold my daughter again.” As the Damari family begins to heal, they also continue to hold onto the hope that all hostages will soon return home.
