In her first public communication since being freed from 471 days of Hamas captivity, Emily Damari has taken to Instagram to share an emotional message of gratitude and joy.
"Love, love, love. Thank God, thank you to my family, to Orali, to the best friends I have in this world," Damari wrote in an Instagram story. "I've returned to my beloved life. I managed to see just a tiny bit of everything and you shattered my heart with excitement. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The happiest person in the world. Simply being."
Damari's family, Mandy, also posted, saying, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the people who contributed to the struggle to bring Emily home and supported us during this period. As I mentioned throughout, you are all an inseparable part of Emily's family." She added that while Emily is "the happiest woman in the world" after getting her life back, the ceasefire must continue until all hostages return home.
Medical evaluations at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, where Damari and two other released hostages – Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher – are receiving care, have revealed encouraging signs. "Emily is in a much better medical condition than we expected," Mandy reported, noting her daughter's displayed strength, determination, and charisma during the release.
The trio was admitted to a specialized department at Sheba, where they spent their first night peacefully with family members. While some medical examinations were postponed due to numerous visiting relatives and friends, comprehensive evaluations are scheduled to begin today. Security debriefings are expected to commence tomorrow.
Meirav Leshem Gonen, mother of Romi, captured the surreal nature of the reunions: "It will take me, us, a moment to breathe her in and believe in the reality we achieved together. I promise to return. There are still 97 loved ones who need such a reality to materialize."
During his morning visit to Sheba, Health Minister Uriel Buso reaffirmed the government's commitment to the remaining hostages. "We will not close these departments until all the hostages return to us here healthy and whole, as much as possible," Busso pledged, expressing satisfaction with the decision that facilitated the recent releases.
