British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari reunited with mother after Hamas handover – live

Seven injuries were reported during the Israeli forces’ suppression on Palestinians around Ofer Prison, west of Ramallah, while they were waiting for the release of prisoners as part of the exchange deal.

The minor injuries include two due to tear gas, one rubber bullet injury to the chest, two superficial injuries, a run over injury and one fall injury.

Ninety Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released from Ofer Prison as part of the agreement.

Some Israelis reportedly staged a demonstration to prevent buses carrying Palestinian captives from reaching Ofer Prison for the exchange.

“They appear to be in good health,” US President Joe Biden said in brief remarks as they were arriving in Israel.

In Tel Aviv, thousands of people gathered to watch the news on large screens erupted in cheers.

For months, many had gathered in the square to demand a ceasefire deal.

Relatives of the women jumped, clapped and wept.

“An entire nation embraces you,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Amid hope among many Israelis that the six-week ceasefire marks the beginning of the end to the war, there is deep unease about the uncertainty surrounding the remaining 94 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.

“The ceasefire is something that I hope will work out,” said Tomer Mizrahi, in Sderot, a town in southern Israel within sight of Gaza that was attacked on Oct. 7. “But as I know Hamas, you cannot even trust them one percent.”

Images of Hamas police emerging on to the streets as the ceasefire took effect underscored how far Israel remains from its originally stated war aims of destroying the Islamist group that has ruled in Gaza since 2007.

“I’m torn,” said Dafna Sharabi from Beit Aryeh-Ofarim, a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank. “On the one hand there’s a ceasefire to strengthen the forces, to rest from all the madness, on the other, maybe it’s not the time,” she said.

“They should have been eliminated, wiped out,” she said. “My son was on reserve duty for a year over there, a whole year, and he sees all the Gazans returning, Hamas returning its forces to all the places he fought in.”

The last British hostage in Gaza was freed by Hamas after more than 15 months in captivity, as part of a long-fought ceasefire to end the ruinous conflict, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, was released alongside two other female captives and reunited with her mother, Mandy, on Sunday evening, after what the family described as nearly 500 “tortuous days” in captivity.

In footage taken in Gaza, cheering crowds of armed militants were seen handing over Emily, alongside her friend Doron Steinbrecher, 31, who was captured with her from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Romi Goren, 24, who was seized from the Nova music festival.

An IDF spokesman said: “The three released hostages, together with their mothers, just landed at a hospital, where they will be reunited with the rest of their families and receive medical treatment

“.The IDF, ISA, the Mossad, and Israeli health authorities are ready to continue receiving additional hostages and are operating to bring home all the hostages.”

The family of Doron Steinbrecher who has just been released have thanked Donald Trump for his role in getting their daughter released.

In a statement they said: “After an unbearable 471 days, our beloved Dodo has finally returned to our arms.

“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and accompanied us along this journey. A special thank you to the people of Israel for their warm embrace, unwavering support, and the strength they gave us during our darkest moments.

“We also extend our gratitude to President Trump for his significant involvement and support, which meant so much to us.

“Our heroic Dodo, who survived 471 days in Hamas captivity, begins her rehabilitation journey today. We will continue to stand with all the families and do everything in our power until all of their loved ones return home.”

Emily Damari has been reunited with her mother Mandy, and has been seen on a video call with her brother for the first time. 

Israel’s ambassador to United States credited President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, along with his country’s degrading of Hamas, for the ceasefire deal that took effect Sunday.

Ambassador Michael Herzog said Hamas realized they were on their own in their fight and “Trump came into the picture and said he wants a deal,” pushing them toward it.

On “Fox News Sunday,” he noted the “unprecedented cooperation” between President Joe Biden’s team and Trump’s envoys.

Going forward, he says he sees “a role for the U.S. and other regional actors to apply and create alternatives to Hamas and stabilize the situation.”