‘I came back to life’: British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari marks one year of freedom

“One year ago, after 471 days in the dark – 471 days of pain, of tunnels, of holding on with everything I had – I came back to life. I hugged my mum, I breathed real air, I saw the sun without fear. That moment, that first real breath of freedom, still hits me every single day.

“My scars tell the story. The hand missing two fingers, the marks on my leg – they aren’t just wounds. To me, they represent freedom, hope, and unbreakable strength. I chose not to be a victim then, and I choose every day to live louder, stronger, prouder now.”

Emily Damari celebrates one year since she was freed from Hamas captivity (Shai Franco)[Missing Credit]

"This year has been about healing, about rebuilding, about laughing again, loving again, and fighting for every single person still waiting to come home. I’ve celebrated the release of my dearest friends Gali and Ziv, danced with them, cried with them – because only when they were free did, I truly feel completely free,” she added.

A passionate Spurs fan, she went on: “ To everyone who chanted my name, who held signs at Tottenham games and at rallies and vigils, who prayed, who never gave up – thank you. You brought me home. And to those still fighting for the one left behind: keep going. We don’t stop until every hostage is back, every family whole.

"Am Yisrael Chai. One year free—and I’m only getting started.”