Emily Damari, one of three Israeli hostages freed from captivity in Gaza, endured a harrowing ordeal during her 471 days in Hamas custody. Israeli media reports, citing her family, revealed that Damari lost two fingers during her abduction by Hamas.
Released on Sunday, the 28-year-old woman appeared in a video call with her relatives, displaying a bandage around her hand that reflected her injuries. Another photograph, shared by the Israeli government, showed Damari with her mother, Mandy, further highlighting her apparent hand injury.
Damari, who holds dual Israeli and British citizenship, was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the devastating Hamas-led assault over a year ago on October 7, 2023. Despite her physical injuries, she was seen smiling and beaming with relief as she reunited with her mother in the images shared from their video call.
Over the weekend, three Israeli hostages were released and handed over to the Red Cross.
The individuals released were identified as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, who were reportedly taken hostage during the tragic events at the Nova Music Festival.
The Times of Israel confirmed the release, reporting, “The IDF says that the Red Cross has notified the military that hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher were handed over to them.”
This development marks a critical moment amid ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages, and it brings hope for more reunions in the days ahead. Further updates on the conditions of the hostages and the circumstances of their release are anticipated.
