‘Nightmare is over’: Mother of freed Israeli hostage Emily Damari thankful for her release
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Released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari uses a phone with her mother, Mandy, in this handout image obtained on Jan 19.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON - Ms Mandy Damari, mother of British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari freed on Jan 19 said her daughter’s “nightmare in Gaza is over” and she is “finally home” in a statement shared with AFP.
“After 471 days Emily is finally home,” said the mother who has campaigned relentlessly for her daughter’s return, thanking “everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal”.
“Thank you for bringing Emily home.”
Ms Emily Damari was kidnapped from her home in Kfar Aza kibbutz in southern Israel by Hamas on Oct 7, 2023 during its unprecedented attack.
Her mother said: “While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues.” She also called for the release of “every last hostage”.
People walk near the Israeli military helicopter, as three female hostages return to Israel at Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel on Jan 19.
PHOTO: REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the release of three Israeli hostages
“While this ceasefire deal should be welcomed, we must not forget about those who remain in captivity under Hamas”, Mr Starmer said in a statement calling for the remaining phases of the truce to be implemented “in full and on schedule”.
The lawyers for Ms Emily Damari’s family said the family was “delighted” at her release.
“Hopefully she will be very well, and everyone will be very pleasantly surprised at how well she is,” lawyer Adam Rose told AFP.
“It’s been an absolute nightmare” for her family, Mr Rose added.
“We do not know where she has been kept for the past 15 months. She might have been kept in an apartment. She might have been kept in a tunnel.
“We will need to wait and find out when she’s well enough to tell people.” AFP
