Emily Damari: What we know about British-Israeli hostage set to be released today

British-Israeli woman Emily Damari is finally set to be released today after spending the past 15 months as a hostage of Hamas.

The 28-year-old's release, alongside fellow female hostages Romi Gonen, 24, and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, is part of the opening phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal which began on Sunday morning.

Ms Damari was in her own apartment in Kfar Aza kibbutz in Israel - two miles from the Gaza border - when she was abducted during the 7 October Hamas attack.

They entered her home and shot her golden cockapoo Choocha dead and shot her, according to her mother, Mandy Damari.

Her mum said she was "shot in the hand, injured by shrapnel in her leg, blindfolded, bundled into the back of her own car" and driven into Gaza.

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She has remained hidden in the war-torn territory since then.

Here is everything we know about Emily Damari, the only remaining British hostage in Gaza.

Tottenham lover, Ed Sheeran fan and 'best BBQ host'

Ms Damari, the youngest of four siblings, is a joint UK and Israeli citizen who was born and raised in Israel.

Her mother Mandy Damari, born in Addington, Surrey, said her daughter "adores" coming to visit the UK annually and describes it as her "second home across the sea".

Mandy, who has been campaigning for her daughter's release since her abduction, has called her "beautiful" and "charismatic" with a "cheeky smile" and "a consummate daughter, sister, and friend".

"Her house is always full of people, whether hosting the best BBQs on the kibbutz or just serving up a cup of tea," she added.

One of her defining physical features is a tattoo on her left arm which reads: "My mum is always right."

Much of Ms Damari's interests are wrapped in British culture, her family says, describing her as a huge supporter of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

In a touching moment during the North London derby earlier this week, Tottenham fans joined forces with rival Arsenal supporters to advocate for Ms Damari and other hostages' releases.

Ms Damari's family say she is also a lover of British music, with a particular love of songs by artists such as Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, James Arthur and Adele.

During their campaigns for Ms Damari, her family listed her other British passions, such as Cadbury's chocolate buttons, a "proper British Christmas", shopping in Primark and Sports Direct, Jo Malone Perfume, the Harry Potter films and a full English breakfast.

Her mum, who moved to Israel from Kent when she was in her 20s, said her daughter was saving up enough money to go travelling, with the USA and Japan top of her bucket list.

Emily's mother reveals last interaction before she was taken

Mandy Damari has shared more details of the lead-up to her daughter's abduction on 7 October - and what their last interaction was before it happened.

The mother and daughter only lived two streets away in Kfar Aza, and on the evening of 6 October 2023, they saw each other briefly as Emily returned from a 29th birthday party.

Emily had had a bit too much to drink, Mandy said, prompting her to tell her mum: "You don't love me when I'm drunk."

Mandy said she assured her that wasn't the case and, when Hamas stormed their kibbutz the following morning, sent her a text saying: "I love you even when you're drunk."

Emily replied with a heart emoji - the last communication they had.

While her daughter was taken, her mother was saved because terrorists shooting at her door inadvertently caused its lock to jam.

A long wait for freedom

In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Mandy Damari said her "nightmare is still going on until I see Emily and all the other 98 hostages back in Israel with their families".

"I have more hope now than I've had in the last 15 months," she said.

"It would be the most wonderful feeling in the world if she comes back, the most wonderful feeling. But I won't believe it until I see and feel it for myself."

Mandy spoke publicly about her daughter for the first time last October - almost a year after she was taken hostage.

"One year has passed and she is still in hell," she told a rally in Hyde Park.

At that point, Mandy, 63, said she had spoken to some of the hostages released by Hamas as part of an earlier ceasefire deal, who had told her that her daughter was still alive.

"They all told me about her bravery and courage and even her laughter and the way she helped hold everyone together even in the worst times," she said.

She said they also told her that Emily had had lice and was living in filth, forced to use a bucket as a toilet.

Mandy's appeal was backed by Orly Goldschmidt, a spokeswoman for Israel's UK embassy, who told Sky News at the time that Emily was "still in the dungeon of Hamas".

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In an update provided by the family in December 2024, they opened up on their fears over Ms Damari's health, saying they hadn't had any proof that she was still alive since March 2024.

"We worry that Emily is no longer singing," her mother said.

"Over the last 14 months whilst in captivity enduring unimaginable horrors, she has missed birthdays, weddings and the births of friends' and family members' children."

The family revealed Ms Damari's grandfather Sidney Moss, who lived in London, died last year aged 97, knowing his granddaughter was still held captive in Gaza.

Final few hours 'the most agonising'

A close family friend of the Damari's, Emily Cohen, has opened up on what they have been going through as Emily's release draws nearer.

"These final few hours have been the most agonising that you can imagine after nearly 500 days of unending torment for Mandy and all the other families," Ms Cohen said.

"Obviously this is amazing news for Mandy and the family, but she will only believe it when she actually gets to see Emily alive and give her that hug she's been dreaming of. Now she is so close to that moment it makes the pain even more intense.

"As a mother, seeing how Mandy has campaigned tirelessly for Emily has been utterly inspiring. I cannot begin to explain how brave and fearless she has been fighting for her daughter, pressuring world leaders and international organisations relentlessly and constantly.

"Given how unbearable the last few hours have been and the rollercoaster of emotions please respect Mandy's privacy at this very critical time.

"I know she wants everyone to know how deeply grateful she is to the British public, MPs, football supporters and strangers from around the world who have been praying and campaigning for Emily's release."

How did the hostage release happen?

Emily Damari's imminent release is part of a ceasefire deal agreed by Israel's cabinet on Friday night after a breakthrough in negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt was announced on Wednesday.

(c) Sky News 2025: Emily Damari: What we know about British-Israeli hostage set to be released today