Her release – along with that of Romi Gonen, 24, and Doran Steinbrecher, 31 – was the first of several to come over the next six weeks – if the ceasefire holds. In exchange, 90 Palestinian prisoners were released.
The hostage release will continue until a total of 33 hostages have been returned and about 1,900 Palestinians have been released in exchange.
In March 2024, Emily’s family were informed that she was still alive, but since then no information has been released on her condition.
Her mother Mandy, who has spent the time campaigning for her release, told a news conference on Monday that Emily was in “high spirits”.
Speaking at Sheba Hospital, where Emily is being treated, she said her daughter was an “amazingly strong and resilient young woman” before thanking those who helped free her.
She also urged people to “continue to fight for the remaining 94 hostages who must return home.”
In an earlier statement, Ms Damari said she was happy Emily’s release had “shown the world her bright and charismatic personality”.
“Yesterday I finally got to hug Emily, which I’ve been dreaming of,” said Mrs Damari.
She added that “it’s still early days” and that “now she needs time with her loved ones and doctors as she begins her road to recovery.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the release of the three hostages was “wonderful and long overdue.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that he was both “delighted and happy” and “very emotional” to hear Emily’s words after her release – she has become close to her family throughout their ordeal .
Lammy added that it was important to recognize that hostages were still being held and that British citizens, e.g Provided by Popplewelldied.
Adam Rose, a lawyer representing the families of the hostages, including Emily’s, said she “seemed to radiate joy” but her release would be both “a moment of joy and further torture and anxiety for the families of others hostages who did not leave”. .
Among those still in captivity are others with close ties to Britain. Among them is Eli Sharabiwho was taken hostage during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks that killed his wife and two daughters.
It is not known if he is still alive, the 34 hostages still being held by Hamas are believed to be dead. His brother Yossi was also taken hostage and later killed in captivity, in what Hamas said was the result of an Israeli airstrike.
The fate of Oded Lifshitz, the 84-year-old father of British and Israeli citizen Sharon Lifshitz, is also still unknown. Her mother Jocheved, long-time wife of Odeda, was released more than a year ago as part of a previous deal to release the hostages.
Describing her feelings as she waits for news about her father, Sharon told the BBC’s Woman’s Hour: “I’m fine. After October 7, we got so used (to) a mixture of joy, absolute horror and pain.”
She said it was “pure joy” to see the three women freed on Sunday, adding that while she knew there was “a lot more heartache” ahead, the moments when the families were reunited were “wonderful”.
Avinatan Orr, whose mother is a British-Israeli citizen, was kidnapped from the Supernova music festival with his girlfriend, Noa Argomani. She was rescued from central Gaza in June 2024 and revealed that they were separated during the abduction.
