Emily Damari among first three hostages freed by Hamas as ceasefire deal takes effect, with 90 Palestinians held in Israeli jails also freed

Freed British hostage Emily Damari has said she is the “happiest person in the world ” after she was released by Hamas as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. The 28-year-old was captured during the terror group’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023 and her family has described the battle for her release as “ongoing torture”.

On Friday, Mrs Damari lit the Shabbat candles to mark the start of the Jewish sabbath. Behind the candles a picture of her daughter with a British flag at the side of the picture. Her prayers: that this would be the last Shabbat Emily would be held as a hostage.