Freed Hostage: I'm the Happiest in the World

Emily Damari spent 471 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza. In a first statement after Sunday's release, she expresses happiness and gratitude.

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Freed Hostage: I'm the Happiest in the World
Photo: Israels militär via AP/TT

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Through Instagram, 28-year-old Damari thanks her family, her girlfriend, and her friends.

"I have returned to my beloved life", she writes, among other things.

"Thanks, thanks, thanks. I am the happiest in the world."

Damari, who has both Israeli and British citizenship, was one of three hostages released since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Sunday. In the first images after her release, she was seen with a bandaged hand with two fingers missing, allegedly after being shot during the kidnapping on October 7, 2023.

Also released on Sunday were 24-year-old Romi Gonen and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, in exchange for around 90 Palestinians imprisoned in Gaza.

The women are now at a hospital in Tel Aviv together with their families. On Monday, extensive medical and psychological tests are expected for the three, reports BBC. According to Israeli media reports, they are relatively well, but it is still unclear how they have been mentally affected by the 15 months in captivity.

The next prisoner exchange is expected to take place on Saturday. In the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas is to return a total of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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