BRITISH hostage Emily Damari defiantly saluted with her bullet-riddled arm after walking through a terrifying barrage of hate as she was freed by Hamas.
Emily, 28, and Israeli prisoners Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were yesterday hustled to freedom by hooded terrorist thugs carrying rifles after 471 days of hell in Gaza.
29
British hostage Emily Damari defiantly saluted with her bullet-riddled hand – after walking through a terrifying barrage of hate as she was freed by HamasCredit: AFP
29
A British girl embraces her mum in a tight hug Credit: Israeli Government Press Office
29
Emily Damari is a British-Israeli who was abducted from her home in Kfar AzaCredit: PA
But the trio were finally safe in their mums’ arms last night after an unimaginable 15 months of ordeal – and now face years of trauma counselling.
Spurs and Ed Sheeran fan Emily – who had two fingers chopped off in the horror abduction on October 7 – was among the first three captives to be freed from a list of 33 due to be released over six weeks.
Her mum Mandy, a Surrey-born nursery teacher, 63, previously said she pretended to hug her kidnapped daughter every morning in a ritual born out of desperate hope.
And her dream came true at the Israel Defense Forces reception center when the fragile cease-fire in Gaza finally delivered Emily into her arms.
Mandy later posted a picture of herself online with her smiling daughter next to a red heart emoji with the caption: “Emily is home.”
The heartwarming clip showed her and Emily enjoying their long-awaited embrace.
The second shows a cheerful Emily in a good mood while waving her left arm wrapped high.
She suffered a terrible injury and her dog was shot dead in her arms when Hamas dragged her and 250 others out of the kibbutz.
A close family friend said: “They shot her dog Choocha first and then Emily.
“She had a gunshot wound on her arm. She’s missing her fingers.”
Brave Emily Damari will take years to recover from her ordeal at the hands of Hamas monsters, says hostage’s father
Previously freed prisoners said that Emily was then taken to tunnels 20 meters underground, where she was “tortured, isolated, unable to eat, speak or even move without someone else’s permission”.
But hostages freed before her said the brave British-Israelis remained on the sidelines.
Female hostages are known to have suffered daily fear of rape, execution or death by friendly fire as Israeli forces raided Gaza to hunt down their captors.
But the three were handed over to Israel by Red Cross mediators at 5.40pm local time (3.40pm UK) after a day of high drama.
Emily’s close friend Liki Aviana – whose 56-year-old father Shachar was killed in the kibbutz raid – said last night when she heard of Emily’s release: “The excitement is so, so great. We did not lose hope that he would return, and in the end it happened. It’s the happiest moment possible. He has many friends. She is a star, unique.
“Since she was taken hostage, I’ve heard from so many people that Emily is their best friend. He has tons of friends because he has the biggest heart.”
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came close to collapsing early yesterday as desperate families awaited news of the hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating the terms by not releasing the names of the first three to be released.
Instead of announcing the planned start of the truce, defense spokesman Daniel Hagari said the deal was not valid unless names were given.
The move left distraught families close to despair before Hamas — which blamed “technical problems” for the delay — finally identified the three women.
29
Emily, center, Romi, left, and Doron at their release yesterday Credit: Twitter/IDF
29
One image appears to show British hostage Emily – with her arm bandaged – getting out of a van after Palestinian Hamas militants handed over three victims Credit: Getty
29
Children wave flags as Palestinians return to the town of Rafah Credit: Getty
29
Displaced Palestinians are beginning to return to their homes next to damaged houses in the Jabalia and Beit Lahia regions, following the announcement of a ceasefire and an agreement to exchange hostages and prisonersCredit: AFP
The truce then came into force at 11.15am local time, and tensions rose as four Red Cross 4×4 vehicles raced to retrieve prisoners from the terrorist group.
Horrendous scenes then unfolded as Hamas – which had lost its entire leadership and been decimated by Israeli attacks – tried to stage a “victory parade” as the three were extradited.
Emily, Romi and Doron looked terrified as they drove through the roaring crowd as gunmen in green scarves with rifles waved V salutes for victory.
Shouting yobs climbed on top of the minibus carrying the prisoners and their guards.
Dark-haired Emily – who grew up in south-east London before moving to Israel in her 20s – looked visibly shaken as she was led through the crowd.
The women were taken to a waiting white Red Cross vehicle that transported them to the Gaza border where Israeli forces were waiting.
All three were then rushed to be evaluated by doctors, psychologists and mental health professionals for initial treatment before being escorted to meet their families.
The Israeli helicopters that took them to treatment facilities were equipped with comfort equipment, including blankets for the women returning to Israeli soil.
The Hostage Forum support group yesterday described Emily as “adored and popular and a friend to everyone”.
It added: “Emily enjoys barbecues, karaoke nights and loves hats. She is a central figure in the local Kfar Az youth community and is always there for her friends.”
Romi is said to love “dancing, traveling and enjoying life. Friends and family describe her as energetic, funny, family-oriented and full of life” before she was taken away from the Nova Music Festival.
Doron, who loves sports, “is a veterinary nurse who has taken care of animals since childhood, when she helped in the school zoo.”
Emily’s family lawyer Adam Rose told of the pain they endured – as they spent months not knowing if she was alive.
Health officials said the freed women would have to spend at least four days in the hospital.
Those released in November 2023 spent much less time in captivity, but still suffered deep trauma and were starved and infested with lice.
Ninety Palestinian prisoners were freed last night in exchange after Israeli guns fell silent, ending a 15-month war in Gaza that is said to have claimed more than 46,000 lives.
More hostages will be released in phases over the next six weeks.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Today’s release of the three hostages is wonderful and long-awaited news after months of agony for them and their families.”
29
Emily lost two fingers during the October 7 attack, her family said Credit: Israeli Government Press Office
29
Families of hostages hope for newsCredit: Sky News
29
One of the hostages, who appears to be Doron Steinbrecher, is pictured being handed over to the Red Cross by Palestinian Hamas militants Credit: AFP
29
The first photo of British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari shows her and her mum Mandy on a video call with her brotherCredit: X/IsraelHayomHeb
29
Doron Steinbrecher was also reunited with her mothers tonight after crossing into IsraelCredit: Israeli Government Press Office
29
Doron Steinbrecher, 31, is the third woman on the list released by HamasCredit: Reuters
29
Romi Gonen, 24, was also releasedCredit: Reuters
29
Mandy Damari sought a deal to release her daughter Emily Damari from Hamas
29
Three stages of the peace agreement
29
One of the women, apparently Romi Gonen, was then seen hugging the official tightly as her nightmare finally came to an end Credit: Twitter/IDF
29
The Red Cross sets out to retrieve the hostages Credit: Sky News
29
Inside the helicopter that brought the hostages homeCredit: X/IDF
29
An Israeli helicopter lands to prepare to pick up the hostages Credit: Sky News
29
People watch a live broadcast on a big screen reporting the release of three Israeli hostages. Credit: EPA
29
Supporters and relatives of hostages captured in the Gaza Strip are emotional at the news of the hostages in Hostage SquareCredit: AFP
29
Supporters and relatives of the hostages react as they watch live television coverage of the release of the Israeli hostages Credit: AFP
29
People react as they watch news of the release of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily DamariCredit: Reuters
29
People watch a live broadcast on a big screen reporting the release of three Israeli hostages Credit: EPA
29
Supporters and relatives of hostages at Hostage Square in Tel AvivCredit: AFP
29
Baby Kfir, the youngest hostage taken by Hamas, will be released in the coming weeksCredit: Reuters
29
Israeli military vehicles take up position inside the Gaza StripCredit: Reuters
29
Smoke rises after an explosion in northern Gaza on the morning of January 19 Credit: Reuters
What happened on October 7?
OCTOBER 7, 2023 Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel, marking one of the darkest days in the nation’s history.
Terrorists stormed across the border from Gaza, killing more than 1,200 people — most of them civilians — and kidnapping 250 others, including women, children and the elderly.
In a coordinated attack, heavily armed fighters infiltrated Israeli cities, kibbutzim and military bases, unleashing indiscriminate violence.
Innocent families were killed in their homes, and graphic footage of the crime spread on social media and shocked the world.
In addition to attacking people in their homes, they also raided the Nova music peace festival – killing at least 364 people there alone.
The massacre provoked a swift and massive Israeli response, which escalated into a full-scale war.
The attack not only reignited long-standing tensions in the region, but also left deep scars on both sides of the conflict, setting the stage for the 15 months of destruction that followed.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education