Emily Damari was the last remaining British hostage in Gaza (Image: Family handout)
Emily Damari, the last remaining British hostage in Gaza, has now been released by Hamas as her mum spoke out over the “horrendous ordeal”.
The 28-year-old British-Israeli had been in captivity for over a year.
Her mum Mandy Damari said: “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 , Britain, the United States, and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home.
“While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues. Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to the hostages who are still waiting to come home.
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People gather to watch a livestream of the release of the three Israeli hostages (Image: Getty)
“We ask that the media please respect Emily’s and our family’s privacy during this time,” she added.
Emily was among three hostages released from Gaza that arrived in hours after the fragile ceasefire between and Hamas took hold. Their mothers were waiting to meet them.
She, along with Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were released on Sunday after being captured as part of Hamas’ October 7 2023 attack on and held in captivity in Gaza for months.
Romi had been abducted from the Nova music festival, while Emily and Doron had been kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
The deal between and Hamas offered the first glimmer of hope in months that both sides may be winding down the most deadly and destructive war they’ve ever fought, a conflict which has destabilised the Middle East and sparked protests worldwide.
Hamas triggered the war with its cross-border attack, which killed some 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 others taken hostage.
responded with a fierce offensive which killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. An estimated 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
More than 100 hostages were freed from Gaza in a weeklong truce in November 2023.
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