Starmer says release of a British-Israeli woman Emily Damari is ‘a wonderful news’

Relatives and friends of people taken hostage by Hamas react while photographs of the kidnapped women awaiting release Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari appear on the screen in Tel Aviv, January 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Relatives and friends of people taken hostage by Hamas react while photographs of the kidnapped women awaiting release Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari appear on the screen in Tel Aviv, January 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the release of a British-Israeli woman along with two other hostages as “wonderful and long-overdue news.”

He also cautions that the world must not forget about those still in captivity by Hamas terrorists.

Emily Damari, 28, who has dual British and Israeli nationality, was one of the three female hostages freed today. Her mother, Mandy, releases a statement of thanks for supporters “who never stopped saying her name.”

“After 471 days Emily is finally home,” her mother says.

Starmer says despite the news, today “also represents another day of suffering for those who haven’t made it home yet.”

“While this ceasefire deal should be welcomed, we must not forget about those who remain in captivity under Hamas,” he says. “We must now see the remaining phases of the ceasefire deal implemented in full and on schedule, including the release of those remaining hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

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