Freed Israeli hostage Emily Damari is in “much better health” than her family feared, her mother said — even after two of her fingers were blown off by Hamas terrorists when she was taken prisoner 15 months ago.
Damari, a 28-year-old British-Israeli citizen, was released alongside two other hostages, Romi Gonen, 23 and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, on Sunday as the first wave of the cease-fire deal with Hamas.
“In Emily’s own words, she is the happiest girl in the world; she has her life back,” her mother, Mandy Damari, said in a statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The mom told of how she “was finally able to give Emily the hug that I had been dreaming of” on Sunday.
“Emily is doing much better than any of us could ever have anticipated,” she said, adding that she was happy the world could “catch a glimpse” of Emily’s “feisty and charismatic personality.”
“In Emily’s own words, she is the happiest girl in the world; she has her life back,” her mother added.
While praising her daughter’s resilience, Mandy noted that she had a long road to recovery. The relieved mother also urged others to keep the remaining hostages held by Hamas at the forefront of their minds.
“In this incredibly happy moment for our family, we must also remember that 94 other hostages still remain. The ceasefire must continue and every last hostage must be returned to their families,” she said.
Mandy thanked the public for supporting Emily over the past 15 months, saying, “You are all an integral part of Emily’s family.”
She then requested “space and privacy” for Emily and the rest of the family to heal.
Damari, Gonen and Steinbrecher were handed over by masked terrorists armed with assault rifles on Sunday after Hamas deviated from the cease-fire timeline. Two of the women were handed sick “gift bags” which included a “certificate” and photos of their time in captivity.
Israel hostage deal: What is it?
Israel and Hamas have reached a deal for the release of 50 hostages held captive by the terrorist organization in exchange for a 4-day pause in hostilities and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The cessation in fighting could be extended an extra day for every 10 hostages released by Hamas.
Three Americans could be released in the deal.
The Red Cross will visit hostages who have not yet been released.
Hamas said Israel would release 150 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.
Hamas took 240 people hostage and killed over 1,200 in its October 7 terrorist attacks.
Israel and Hamas reached a deal for the release of 50 hostages held by the terrorist organization in exchange for a 4-day pause in fighting and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Some 57 living hostages are believed to be still held in the Gaza Strip, including three Americans. Two of those Americans — Sagui Dekel-Chen and Keith Siegel— are set to be freed in the initial 42-day cease-fire.
New Jersey native Edan Alexander, the third remaining American hostage, would have to be part of negotiations over a potential second phase of the cease-fire, which would see the effective end of the war in Gaza.
