‘I’m the happiest person in the world’ Emily Damari says after freedom from Gaza

The hostages being swarmed by Hamas operatives in Gaza (Getty) AFP via Getty Images

Following an initial medical examination at the Israel Defense Forces reception point near the Gaza border and their subsequent transfer to a hospital via helicopter, Tel Hashomer General Hospital Director Dr. Yael Frenkel Nir told local media that the women's physical condition was good enough to allow them to focus on reuniting with family members.

Hundreds of exhilarated Israelis were awaiting the return of the three hostages outside the hospital as the helicopters touched down.

Damari’s mother Mandy, from Beckenham in southeast London, shortly after her daughter’s return thanked “everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name. In Israel, Britain, the United States and around the world.

“While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues. Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to the hostages who are still waiting to come home.”

Israel has said that 25 of the 33 people on the list of hostages to be returned in the first stage of the ceasefire deal are still alive. Ninety-four hostages are still being held in Gaza, at least one-third of whom are believed to be dead.