Brent Central MP Dawn Butler has confirmed that the mother of one of her constituents has been freed after being taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
Ms Butler said she is “overjoyed” that Ada Sagi, whose son Noam lives in Brent, was returned to Israel yesterday evening (November 28).
The 75-year-old was taken from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 after Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza.
Mr Sagi, a British-Israeli, had previously said that she had been due to celebrate her birthday with family in London just days after she was taken hostage.
He said yesterday: “For our family, this is a moment we have dreamt of and worked for every minute of every day since October 7.
“It will be hard to believe it is true until we are able to embrace in person. Our first priority is my mum’s mental and physical health and we ask for time and space while we prioritise her wellbeing.
“Seeing my mum will be a moment of unparalleled relief and joy for us personally but comes against a backdrop of unparalleled grief and sorrow for our community.”
He added that the “tragedy” was still ongoing for families who still have hostages in Gaza and called on the international community to ensure that all those taken are returned.
He added: “Enough with the games and enough with the psychological torture. Bring them home. Bring them all home, and do it now.”
Brent Central MP Dawn Butler first raised Ada Sagi’s case in the House of Commons on October 16.
Reacting to news of her release in a statement posted to X she said: “This is the result we were hoping for.
“We have worked hard, lobbying everyone in government that we could, to secure Ada’s release.
“Once she is able to rest, recover and receive any treatment she needs following this unimaginable trauma, I look forward to meeting Ada and celebrating her birthday as those celebrations have been on hold until she returns."
She also urged both sides in the conflict to work towards an “extended negotiated ceasefire”.
Statement following the release of my constituent's mother, Ada Sagi 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/W3TJGnE8Uc
— Dawn Butler MP✊🏾💙 (@DawnButlerBrent) November 28, 2023
Ms Sagi was among 10 Israeli hostages and two Thai nationals released yesterday in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners who were held in Israel’s jails.
The truce is due to end after one more exchange tonight (November 29).
Israel has said it is willing to extend the ceasefire by one day for every 10 additional hostages that Hamas releases, according to the deal brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the US.
Some reporting by PA.
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