Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman recently freed from Hamas captivity, shared a deeply unsettling account of her 15-month ordeal during a phone call with Keir Starmer.
Held in Gaza by Hamas, Emily was confined in a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facility, where she was denied necessary medical care despite suffering serious injuries.
Captured During Hamas’ Attack
On October 7, 2023, Emily was taken from her home in southern Israel during a brutal attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 people.
She became one of many hostages caught in the violent conflict.
This month, she was released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which aimed to end the war.
However, Emily’s story reveals the dark reality of her captivity and the lack of proper care she endured.
Denied Medical Treatment
During her time in captivity, Emily was shot twice in the hand and leg, losing two fingers.
Despite being in urgent need of medical attention, she was confined in a UNRWA facility where no proper treatment was provided.
The only care she received was a bottle of outdated iodine.
This neglect worsened her physical condition, leaving her with lasting injuries that have made her recovery a difficult journey.
In a tearful conversation with the Prime Minister, Emily and her mother, Mandy, called for maximum pressure to be put on Hamas and UNRWA.
Their request was simple: allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to access the remaining 82 hostages still held in Gaza, many of whom are in desperate need of medical care.
Pressure on International Organizations
The phone call also touched on Emily’s current well-being.
Mandy explained that while Emily seemed to be handling the psychological toll of her ordeal, the physical recovery from her injuries would take time.
Mandy later shared an image on social media of her daughter speaking with the Prime Minister, expressing gratitude for his efforts to bring Emily home.
Mandy’s post also called for continued support for the remaining hostages, writing, “Hamas held Emily in @UNRWA facilities and denied her access to medical treatment after shooting her twice.
It’s a miracle she survived, and we need to get aid to remaining hostages now.”
The International Controversy Over UNRWA
Emily’s testimony has raised serious questions about UNRWA’s role in Gaza, particularly as Israel passed a law in October prohibiting the agency’s operations on Israeli territory.
The law was based on claims that some UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas’ October 7 attack.
While the UN acknowledged that nine staff members were dismissed due to alleged ties to Hamas, Israel’s move has been met with widespread condemnation, given that most of Gaza’s population depends on UNRWA’s aid.
Despite these tensions, UNRWA continues to provide essential humanitarian support in Gaza.
Juliette Touma, the agency’s communications director, reassured the public that their operations were ongoing.
She warned that any disruption to UNRWA’s work could threaten the fragile ceasefire, which many fear is already at risk.
The Ongoing Crisis in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire.
Before the ceasefire, experts had predicted an imminent famine in the region.
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, aid has flowed into Gaza, with over 32,000 tonnes of food delivered.
However, challenges remain, including a backlog of 12,000 to 14,000 patients awaiting evacuation.
Only a small number of evacuees are set to be moved in the coming days, with warnings that some, including children, may not survive.
With the fate of Gaza still uncertain, global attention remains on the efforts to bring relief to those who need it most, with continued international cooperation seen as vital to preventing further suffering.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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