Emily Damari, a British-Israeli hostage, could be released this weekend as Israel and Hamas approach a ceasefire and hostage agreement following the October 7 attack that resulted in her abduction. Damari, a Tottenham Hotspur fan, is among the top-listed hostages for release. Initial reports indicate that three women will be freed on Sunday, with Damari expected to be released alongside others in subsequent weeks. The proposed ceasefire aims to liberate hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Both sides hope this agreement, forged via international diplomacy, will mark a path towards lasting peace.
British hostage Emily Damari could be released this weekend as Israel and Hamas finalize details of a ceasefire and hostage release.
The 28-year-old Tottenham Hotspur fan, who has British and Israeli nationality, was snatched from his home in southern Israel and shot in the hand and leg during a Hamas attack on October 7.
She is among five women and two children at the top of Hamas’ list to be released.
Three of them will be returned to Israel on Sunday and the remaining four will be released seven days later, according to a source close to the negotiations, which means Damari will be with her Sally-born mother Mandy for two weeks. It is suggested that he will return within the next few days.
Following them are five teenagers, Naama Levi, Karina Aliyev, Lili Arbag, Daniela Gilboa and Agam Berger, who were moved to the top of the hostage list following pressure from the Mail.
Damali’s mother, Mandy Damali, has been campaigning tirelessly for her daughter’s release after she was kidnapped along with her twin brothers, Jibu and Gali Burman, 27.
In November, a spokesperson for the British Embassy in Israel called on the international community to do more to influence Hamas to release Emily and other hostages.
Orly Goldschmidt told Sky News: “British-Israeli national Emily Damali, 28, remains in a Hamas dungeon and we will put pressure on Hamas to release her.” “We are therefore seeking international support and UK support.” and 100 other hostages.
Tottenham Hotspur fan Emily Damali, 28, is among five women and two children at the top of Hamas’ list for release.
Photo: A man walks in front of a giant billboard with portraits of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attack.
Damari was abducted on October 7 along with her twin brothers Ziv and Gali Burman, 27.
A historic Middle East peace deal was close to being agreed last night as Israel and Hamas moved closer to agreeing a ceasefire to end 15 months of bloodshed.
The agreement, which followed weeks of painstaking negotiations in the Qatari capital, gradually frees dozens of hostages held by Hamas and frees hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. , promises to allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return home. The remains of their home.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the first phase of the agreement would last for 42 days and include a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the east, away from populated areas.
It would also result in much-needed humanitarian aid flooding into the devastated territory.
The second and third phases are less developed and details will be decided during the first phase, Thani added.
“We will continue to do everything we can with our partners to ensure that this agreement is implemented as agreed,” he said, noting that the arbitrators spent 411 days reviewing the terms of the agreement.
“And this deal will hopefully bring us peace at the end of it. It all depends on whether the parties to the agreement act in good faith to the agreement so that there is no breakdown in the agreement.” I believe there is.”
Donald Trump says mediators have struck a “hostage deal” after his “pressure tactics” were praised for securing a deal that Joe Biden couldn’t get. I admitted it.
“There is an agreement regarding hostages in the Middle East. It will be released soon. Thank you!” the US president-elect wrote on his Truth Social platform.
But despite a hostage release deal almost being agreed, the sister of two British nationals killed in the Israeli-Hamas conflict says “there will never be a settlement” until all Israeli hostages are returned. said.
Ayelet Svatitsky, 47, said reports that surfaced Wednesday that both her brothers, Roy Popplewell and Nadav Popplewell, had died and that her mother, Channa Peri, had previously been taken hostage. He said it was a “relief” after what he had been through.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and the release of hostages, a mediator announced Wednesday.
People react to reports that a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement may have been reached during a rally calling for the return of hostages captured in the Gaza Strip in Tel Aviv, Israel, on January 15, 2025. (Photo taken on January 15, 2025)
On January 14th, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, an Israeli military helicopter “Black Hawk” landed in the northern Gaza Strip.
As news of a possible ceasefire agreement broke, there were reports that Palestinians were celebrating in Khan Yunis, Gaza.
Relatives and friends of those killed, abducted and taken to Gaza by Hamas react to ceasefire announcement while participating in a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel
“We have been praying for a deal to be signed and for all the hostages to be brought to safety,” she said, speaking from Israel. [being] Being released is a relief for them, for their families, and for us.
“Of course, it’s too late for my brother, we can never save them. We could have taken him for burial, so we could complete the deal, bring back all the hostages, and save them alive.” We know how important it is to release these hostages to their families so that they can begin their healing and rehabilitation.”
Asked if the reported ceasefire would bring closure to his family, Svatitsky said: “It will never end until all the hostages are returned.”
“We are worried and cannot proceed until the last hostage returns.”
Israel is scheduled to vote on the proposal in parliament this morning, which is expected to pass after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded his far-right allies to go along with it.
Families and loved ones of 98 hostages held in Gaza took to the streets of Tel Aviv to celebrate the monumental agreement that comes into effect on Sunday.
The first prisoners are expected to be released this weekend, and some were seen lighting smoke bombs, waving placards and hugging each other.
In Gaza, men came out holding Palestinian flags and danced after news that the 467-day conflict had finally come to a halt.
After three days of intense negotiations following the breakthrough early Monday morning, President Trump declared he had helped seal a “grand ceasefire agreement.”
“I am thrilled that the American and Israeli hostages will be able to return home and be reunited with their families and loved ones,” the president-elect said.
“With this agreement in place, my national security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists. .”
U.S. President Joe Biden talks about the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire and the hostage release agreement with Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) at the Grand Entrance of the White House on January 15, 2025.
A man waves a Palestinian flag as Palestinians react to news of a ceasefire agreement with Israel in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025.
Supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped in the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, hold torches during a protest amid ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, demanding a deal to bring all the hostages home at once. Participating in January 15th in Tel Aviv, Israel. , 2025
Hours later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were “still some outstanding provisions” that he was working on resolving.
The Qatari prime minister praised the united efforts of both the outgoing and incoming US president as a “clear demonstration of the commitment” of the United States that helped bring the deal to fruition.
Biden said the framework builds on the outline he laid out last May, adding: “My diplomacy has never stopped working to achieve this.”
Although this historic agreement is an important first step, concerns remain that the deal will collapse and fighting will resume before all the hostages are freed and Gaza is rebuilt.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a 42-day halt in fighting to allow for the release of 33 of the 98 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
During this time, however, they must begin negotiations for a trickier second phase in which the IDF gradually withdraws completely from Gaza in exchange for the remaining hostages.
Hamas insists it will remain in power, which is unacceptable to Israel and could cause the ceasefire to collapse.
The terrorist organization broke the last ceasefire after the first phase ended in November 2023 and fired rockets into Israel.
A hostage forum last night called for a deal that would “guarantee the return of all prisoners of war”.
The first phase will begin with the release of female civilian hostages, with three understood to be freed as early as this Sunday.
Women soldiers will follow men over the age of 50 and sick men under the age of 50.
U.S. intelligence sources told Fox News last night that 23 of the 33 hostages to be released are alive.
Hamas insists it will remain in power, which is unacceptable to Israel and means the ceasefire could break down.
Palestinians react to news about a ceasefire agreement with Israel in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025.
Steve Witkoff was a key figure in urging Israelis to reach a breakthrough agreement on Monday.
Sir Keir Starmer said the ceasefire and hostage agreement was “long overdue news” and paid tribute to “British nationals killed by Hamas”, adding: “We continue to mourn and remember them. I’ll go,” he added.
Dr. Sanam Baqir, head of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, said last night: “President Donald Trump’s pressure tactics and warnings against Hamas and Israel threaten to revive protracted negotiations that the Biden administration has proven unwilling. “It was clearly effective in getting people to do things,” he said. apply appropriate pressure on Israeli leaders; ”
Mr. Witkoff was seen as essential to urging the Israelis to reach a breakthrough agreement on Monday.
Mohamed Sinwar, the de facto leader of Hamas in Gaza, then gave his blessing on Tuesday, but the terror group disrupted the situation by demanding last-minute changes to the proposal.
After Hamas withdrew, President Trump announced a ceasefire.
This pauses the conflict that began with the October 7 attack, the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
The United Nations and international relief agencies estimate that about 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been forced to flee multiple times.
Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed and hospitals are said to be barely functioning.
Experts have warned that famine may be brewing in northern Gaza, where Israel launched a major offensive in early October that displaced tens of thousands of residents.