In brief
After enduring immense suffering during her captivity, Emily Damari reflects on her scars as symbols of hope and freedom while recovering from surgeries related to her injuries sustained during the October 2023 Hamas attack.
A British-Israeli woman who was held captive by Hamas for nearly 15 months has expressed that her scars now signify "freedom, hope, and strength" as she undergoes multiple surgeries for her injuries. Emily Damari, 28, was shot in the hand and leg during the brutal attack on October 7, 2023, which culminated in the loss of two fingers. Her journey to recovery has been grueling, following a year and a half filled with "intense pain" stemming from an operation she received in Gaza, where she describes the conditions as unfathomable.Reflecting on her time in captivity, Damari recounted being taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza amid Hamas's unprecedented assault. As a hostage, she received minimal medical care, recalling only an expired bottle of iodine to tend to her wounds. After 471 days, she became one of the first hostages released under a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing violence, which had resulted in immense human suffering on both sides.Damari recently completed complex surgeries in Israel's Sheba Medical Center, which she noted had exceeded her expectations. Although she reported that the scar on her hand has improved and the pain related to nerve damage has subsided, she acknowledged the lengthy road ahead for her recovery, admitting her hand would "never fully recover." The conditions faced by other hostages during their ordeal were highlighted by Damari, who found it "shocking but not surprising" to witness their emaciated states upon release. Describing the environment created by Hamas as "hell on Earth," she called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages, recognizing that countless others emerged from the ordeal in even worse mental and physical health than herself.In a heartfelt moment, Damari expressed her eagerness to return to the UK with her mother, Mandy Damari, who has been a pillar of support throughout this traumatic experience. During her time in captivity, Damari had been in contact with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who extended an invitation for her and her mother to visit Downing Street. As they both aspire to heal and support other hostages, Damari is determined to thank everyone who helped her reclaim her life.The conflict that led to Damari's captivity has had tragic repercussions, with reports indicating that the warfare has led to significant loss of life, including 1,200 fatalities in Israel and over 48,000 in Gaza. The hostage crisis unfolded after Hamas took 251 individuals during the attack, with subsequent negotiations leading to the release of several hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
