SHEER JOY
Tearjerking moment families of freed Israeli hostages celebrate as they watch livestream of daughters’ rescue from Gaza
Watch the incredible moment 15 months in the making
THIS is the tearjerking moment that the families of the released Israeli hostages celebrate the return of their loved ones.
Footage released by Israel shows the relatives of the three released hostages unable to contain their happiness as they scream with joy.
11
11
11
In the footage, the families are gathered around a screen watching the harrowing moment of history unfold, with one man literally jumping for joy.
The same man then begins to break down in tears over how thrilled he is to see his loved one safe in Israel again.
This comes as Israel has confirmed that the three hostages, including British citizen Emily Damari, have finally been released by Hamas.
Other footage from the day's monumental events shows Red Cross trucks safely bringing the three women back into Israel in the dead of night after the explosive tension of the day.
read more in the ceasefire
British Emily Damari, 28, has been released alongside two other Israeli victims - Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31.
The three victims were picked up by the International Committee of the Red Cross team before being handed over to IDF troops.
They have since arrived at a reception point in southern Israel where the three will have an emotional reunion with their mothers who they haven't seen or spoken to in 15 months.
A statement from the IDF and ISA said: "IDF officers from the Manpower Directorate and IDF medical officials are accompanying the released hostages during an initial medical assessment.
Most read in The Sun
"IDF representatives are accompanying their families at the hospital and updating them with the latest available information."
Earlier today, the hostages were swarmed by Hamas terrorists before they could be handed over to the Red Cross.
Disturbing moment Hamas hand over three female hostages as van is mobbed by gun-wielding terrorists in final humiliation
Horrifying footage shows the victims can be seen swarmed by mask-wearing crowds with cameras, with some wielding guns and climbing onto the roof of the vehicle.
Footage captured by TV channel Al Jazeera also features a TV reporter with a microphone caught in the crush.
It was the final humiliation by the terrorist group after nearly 500 days of captivity for the victims.
The women are seen through the van door as swathes of Hamas terrorists - and in the background, Palestinian civilians - appear shout and scream at the hostages.
11
11
11
But thankfully the women were able to make it to safety.
They then arrived at a reception point in southern Israel where the three reunited with their mothers who they haven't seen or spoken to in 15 months.
The mum of British hostage Emily released a heartwarming statement following the return of her beloved daughter, saying that "Emily is finally home".
She said: "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."
Following the release of the three Israeli hostages, US President Joe Biden said how "after so much pain, destruction, loss of life today, the guns in Gaza have gone silent".
11
He added that hundreds of trucks are entering Gaza "as I speak" that are "carrying assistance for civilians who suffered enormously from the war that Hamas started" on October 7.
And Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the release of the hostages "wonderful and long-overdue" following "months of agony for them and their families".
But he added that today "also represents another day of suffering for those who haven't made it home yet," adding that "we must not forget about those who remain in captivity under Hamas".
Emily Damari grew up in southeast London before moving to Israel in her 20s.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The fan was shot in the hand and suffered shrapnel wounds to the leg when she was snatched from the Kfar Aza kibbutz village on October 7.
Her London-born mum has desperately campaigned for her daughter's release who was kidnapped from her home by Hamas alongside her twin brothers Ziv and Gali Berman, 27.
11
11
11
11
Topics