'I just want to hug her': Family of British-Israeli hostage on news she will be released

Emily Damari, a young woman with curly dark brown hair, has been in a very difficult situation for a long time. She was taken from her home in southern Israel by a group called Hamas. This happened 471 days ago, and during that time, Emily was hurt. She was shot in the hand, and her beloved dog, Choocha, was also killed. Recently, there has been some good news. Hamas has announced that Emily will be one of the first hostages they plan to release. This news has brought a mix of emotions for her family. Emily's family, especially her mother Mandy, is filled with hope but also fear. Mandy expressed her feelings by saying, 'All Emily's mum Mandy wants to do is hug Emily. But she won't believe it until she sees it. ' This statement shows the deep love and longing Mandy has for her daughter. The last 15 months have been incredibly painful for Mandy. She has not heard from Emily since the day she was taken. Every week, Mandy lights candles to mark the Jewish Sabbath, hoping that this will be the last time she has to do so without her daughter. Many people around the world have joined Mandy in lighting candles and praying for Emily's safe return. They have pictures of Emily and other hostages, showing their support and love. Mandy has also heard from other hostages who were released recently. They told her that Emily was doing okay, despite her injuries. They said she was brave and still had hope of being released. However, Mandy is still worried about Emily's condition. She fears that Emily could be suffering from hunger, thirst, or even mental distress while being held captive. Mandy has been a strong advocate for her daughter's release. She has traveled to different places, met with politicians, and participated in rallies to raise awareness about Emily's situation. At first, she trusted the government to help her, but as time went on, she became frustrated with the lack of progress. Mandy and Emily were both at their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza when the attack happened. Mandy was able to hide in a safe room, but Emily was taken away. This has been a heartbreaking experience for their family. Emily is very connected to the UK, as she is a fan of Tottenham Hotspur and often visited her relatives there. When she is finally released, she will learn that her grandfather has passed away while she was in captivity. This will be a difficult moment for her. Mandy said, 'It's like a piece of my heart isn't there. ' This shows how much Emily means to her family. They are all waiting for the day when they can be together again. Mandy's love for her daughter is clear when she says, 'I love her to the moon and back. ' This shows the strong bond between a mother and her child, and the hope that they will be reunited soon.