John Swinney on his 'overdue' hope for Gaza as mother of freed British hostage issues emotional statement

First Minister John Swinney has spoken of his hope that a ‘long overdue’ ceasefire between Israel and Hamas can be a step towards peace and security in the region

​The mother of freed British hostage Emily Damari has thanked those who "never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal" after she was released by Hamas in the first step of a ceasefire agreement described as “fragile”.

Ms Damari, 28, was held in captivity for more than 15 months in what was described as "ongoing torture" for her family.

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Her release on Sunday was welcomed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as "wonderful and long-overdue news after months of agony".

British hostage in Gaza Emily Damari. Picture: Family handout/PA WireBritish hostage in Gaza Emily Damari. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire
British hostage in Gaza Emily Damari. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire

Two other hostages, Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were also released.

The trio arrived in Israel, hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold, with their mothers waiting to meet them.

Israeli media, carrying live footage from Qatar-based Al Jazeera, showed the three women walking to Red Cross vehicles as their convoy moved through Gaza City.

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

British hostage in Gaza Emily Damari. Picture: Family handout/PA WireBritish hostage in Gaza Emily Damari. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire
British hostage in Gaza Emily Damari. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire

Ms Damari’s mother Mandy, who grew up in Beckenham in south-east London, had fiercely campaigned for her daughter's freedom.

She called for all Israeli hostages to be released in a statement issued yesterday afternoon, saying: "After 471 days, Emily is finally home.

"I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name. In Israel, Britain, the United States and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home.

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"While Emily's nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues. Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to the hostages who are still waiting to come home.”

Sir Keir also remembered those who remain in captivity, saying the day “represents another day of suffering for those who haven't made it home yet".

In a statement, the Prime Minister said: "The release of three hostages today is wonderful and long-overdue news after months of agony for them and their families.”

Sir Keir added: "I wish them all the very best as they begin the road to recovery after the intolerable trauma they have experienced. We stand ready to offer assistance and support.

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"However, today also represents another day of suffering for those who haven't made it home yet – so while this ceasefire deal should be welcomed, we must not forget about those who remain in captivity under Hamas .

"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.

"The UK stands ready to do everything it can to support a permanent and peaceful solution."

First Minister John Swinney spoke of his hope the “long overdue” ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be a step towards peace and security in the region.

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He said: “It is my sincere hope that this ceasefire marks the start of a long-term political solution in the Middle East.

“I welcome the return of the hostages to their families who are being released as part of the ceasefire deal. The agreement is also long overdue for the people of Gaza who have endured unimaginable suffering over the past 15 months.

“There is still significant work required to ensure peace and security across the region. The focus must now be on removing all obstacles to delivery of humanitarian aid to those across Gaza who so badly need it.”

Cabinet minister Darren Jones said the UK was "hopeful" about the ceasefire, but added: "There's much more work to be done."

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Asked how confident he was that it would hold, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury told Times Radio: "We're certainly very hopeful. It's great that we've gotten to this position where a ceasefire has begun.

"Clearly it's fragile, clearly there's much more work to be done. We want the hostages released back to Israel, for the fighting to stop, as we said, from the very start of this conflict.”

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urged all parties to "stick with the plan that has been outlined".

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

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For months, many had gathered in the square to demand the agreement. Relatives of the women jumped, clapped and wept.

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

The ceasefire ushers in an initial six-week period of calm and raises hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the devastating 15-month war.

A last-minute delay by Hamas put off the truce’s start by nearly three hours, but the spokesman for Hamas’s military wing later said it is committed to the ceasefire.

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Even before the ceasefire took effect, celebrations broke out across the territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes.

Next up is the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners later on Sunday.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, families and friends gathered excitedly as cars honked and people waved the Palestinian flag.

The truce, which started at 11.15am local time, is the first step towards ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in Hamas’s October 7 2023 attack.

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