Emily Damari, a 28-year-old British woman, was subjected to unimaginable trauma when she was captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
After surviving horrific conditions for 471 days, Emily, who lost two fingers and sustained a leg injury from being shot at close range, is now embracing her recovery journey.
The Tottenham Hotspur fan faced extreme suffering, yet she has defied the odds, standing strong and hopeful despite the physical and emotional scars left by her time in captivity.
Terror and Pain in Gaza
On the day she was kidnapped, Emily was taken from her home in the village of Kfar Aza when Hamas stormed her kibbutz.
She witnessed the execution of her beloved dog and was taken to Gaza with two friends, where she experienced further torment.
In a horrifying moment, Emily was placed in an operating room next to a dead body, and a Palestinian medic introduced himself as “Dr. Hamas.”
She recalled the immense pain she endured as the doctors performed a rushed operation, sewing her severed fingers together, with little more than a crude bandage and outdated iodine for care.
Despite the dire circumstances, Emily stayed strong, holding onto the hope that she would one day escape the brutal captivity.
Her mother, Mandy, described it as a “miracle” that Emily didn’t contract any life-threatening infections in the unsanitary conditions of the tunnels where she was held.
Emily had no choice but to remain strong, not only for herself but also for the people she loved and missed deeply.
A Symbol of Hope and Resilience
After her release in a ceasefire deal in January, Emily made a defiant gesture, smiling and raising her injured hand in the rockstar symbol, symbolizing strength and resilience.
Now, as she begins to recover in Israel at the Sheba Medical Center, she continues to embrace her injuries, seeing her scars as symbols of her freedom, hope, and inner strength.
Although she recognizes that her recovery will be long and painful, Emily is at peace with her journey.
Her pain has lessened after undergoing surgery, and she is hopeful that with physiotherapy, she will regain more use of her hand.
Her courage and determination have made her an inspiration, and she continues to fight for the release of the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.
The Cruelty of Captivity
While Emily’s situation was harrowing, she notes that there are still others who are suffering far worse conditions.
During her time in captivity, Emily shared a cell with fellow hostage Romi Gonen, a trained medic who assisted in treating Emily’s wounds.
They endured weeks without proper sanitation or clean water, while Hamas subjected them to cruel and inhumane conditions.
Emily and Romi were fortunate to have relatively good health upon their release, but they were confronted with the shocking reality of how emaciated and weak the other hostages were.
Some had been reduced to skeletal figures, and Emily was heartbroken by the images of the other captives, which mirrored the suffering of Holocaust survivors.
Fighting for Others
In the months following her release, Emily has dedicated herself to fighting for the release of her friends and fellow hostages, including twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, who are still being held in Gaza.
Emily stressed that while her own injuries were severe, there are others who are in even worse physical and mental condition.
She continues to thank former President Donald Trump for helping secure the ceasefire deal that allowed her and many others to return home, though she remains cautious about the future.
Emily urged diplomats to uphold the agreement to ensure the safe return of the remaining hostages.
She also expressed a deep desire to reunite with the remaining captives and finally bring them home.
Looking Forward to the Future
While Emily is excited about the future, including plans to visit the UK and watch Tottenham Hotspur play, she has made it clear that she won’t be able to fully celebrate until all the hostages are freed.
She remains hopeful that after her surgeries and rehabilitation, she will return to her life, surrounded by loved ones, and be able to express her gratitude to those who helped her reclaim her life.
Through unimaginable pain and suffering, Emily Damari’s story is one of immense bravery and resilience.
Her courage continues to inspire, and her fight for those still trapped in Gaza remains unwavering.