Emily Damari: Sole British hostage named by Hamas as one of three to be released

The family of the final British hostage in Gaza – one of three set to be released by Hamas on Sunday – have previously described her as their “light and life”.

British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, was kidnapped during the October 7 attack and has been a hostage for 471 days.

According to her mother, Surrey-born Mandy Damari, she was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on the morning of the attack and shot in the hand, “blindfolded and forced into her own car with two other friends”.

Her beloved dog Choocha, who was with her, was killed with a “gunshot to the neck”.

Described as “the light and life” of her family and friends, Ms Damari was born and raised in Kibbutz Kfar Aza as the youngest of four siblings.

Her family said she has always remained “close to her British roots” and “loves visiting London” with her mother where they often see artists including Ed Sheeran and Adele.

Mandy said: “When she was young, her favourite place was London Zoo … as she got older, she turned into a big foodie, always dragging us to her favourite restaurants.

“We’d go shopping in Primark and visit markets for a good bargain.”

An avid Spurs fan, Ms Damari would also attend Tottenham games with her brother “enjoying a pint or two while cheering her head off”.

Her mother said: “For her, that was England and she loved her second home across the sea, and always looked forward to coming here.”

On Wednesday, Arsenal and Tottenham fans united in support of Ms Damari at the north London derby, and her mother tweeted her appreciation afterwards, saying: “I know that you don’t agree on very much, which makes it even more special that you have come together to say ‘bring her home’.”

Mrs Damari, who lived two streets away in Kfar Aza, last saw her daughter the evening before the Hamas terror attack.

She said Ms Damari had been at a 29th birthday party and had a bit too much to drink, adding that “she told me, ‘You don’t love me when I’m drunk'”, which she said she assured her daughter was not the case.

When Hamas stormed their Kibbutz the following morning, she sent her daughter a text saying: “I love you even when you’re drunk.” Ms Damari replied with a heart emoji – the last communication they had.

Ms Damari was saved that day after Hamas militants shooting her door inadvertently caused her lock to jam.

Mrs Damari said he now been left imagining the horrors her youngest daughter is experiencing: “Emily was shot through the hand and had shrapnel in her leg.

“I heard from the hostages that came out in November last year that despite this she still had the same optimism. She was still leading them.

“But what she’s like now I don’t know, because that’s more than a year ago … As far as I know, no one’s been to see her. How she’s doing? I don’t know if the wounds are infected or not infected.”

Since her kidnapping, Mandy has spent the past 15 months campaigning for her daughter’s return, travelling around the world and meeting world leaders.

She said she starts every day by giving her daughter an imaginary hug and sending her a virtual message to “keep strong, keep alive” and telling her “you are going to be okay”.

Mandy also described the past 15 months as a “nightmare, living a life like this”, adding: “What she’s been feeling there – who knows. It must have been 10 times worse for her than it has been for me.”

A lawyer for Ms Damari’s family said on Sunday there had been no “independent verification” that she will be released.

Adam Rose told Times Radio: “No, we’ve not had any independent verification. I’ve seen what’s out in public, I’ve been in touch with the family, but not had specific confirmation yet, no.”

He said Ms Damari’s family are in an “impossible position”, adding: “Their daughter, their only daughter, now 28, was taken from her home on October 7 2023, she was injured in the process, and their world’s just been turned upside down while they’re waiting to find out what’s happened to their daughter.”

The lawyer said he has told her loved ones to “prepare for the worst”.

He told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “Our advice has always been until somebody is in your arms and being hugged and they’re alive and well, you have to assume that nothing is happening. And, I suppose, prepare for the worst.

“But hopefully Emily is well. Hopefully Emily will come out this afternoon. Hopefully she’ll be given medical care and then she’ll be hugged.”

Emily Cohen, who has been representing the family, said: “These final few hours have been the most agonising that you can imagine, after nearly 500 days of unending torment for Mandy and all the other families.

“Obviously this is amazing news for Mandy and Emily’s entire family, but she will only believe it when she actually gets to see Emily alive and give her that hug she’s been dreaming of. Being so close to that moment makes the pain even more intense.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “The UK Government welcomes the reports that British national Emily Damari is on the list of hostages to be released by Hamas today. We stand ready to support her upon her release.

“We urge both sides to implement all phases of the deal in full and for all hostages to be returned.”