‘I have returned to my beloved life,’ says freed British-Israeli hostage

British-Israeli national Emily Damari said she had “returned to my beloved life” in her first comments since her release from Gaza captivity.

The 28-year-old woman 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 freed on Sunday in the long-awaited operation. ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

In an Instagram post after 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 that she saw some of the reaction Sunday to her release, saying “you broke my heart with excitement, thank you.”

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

Ms. Damari’s family also expressed their joy at her return. They were told in March 2024 that she was still alive, but had received no information on her condition since.

Her mother Mandy, who spent all this 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 horrible ordeal, and who never stopped speaking her name. In Israel, in Britain, in the United States and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home.”

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

British 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 many expected to take place over the next six weeks – if the ceasefire fire is respected.

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