Emily Damari Shares Bold Moment of Resistance During Captivity

Emily Damari spent 471 days in Hamas captivity, yet her spirit remained unbroken. In a candid interview aired on Israeli television, the 28-year-old British-Israeli woman detailed her harrowing experience an account filled with loss, courage, and unexpected moments of humor and defiance.

Damari was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7, 2023, terrorist assault. Already wounded her hand shattered by gunfire she was dragged into Gaza alongside Gali and Ziv Berman. The bullet that killed her dog struck her leg. From there, her ordeal began.

Nicknamed "Shejaiya" and “John Cena” by her captors, Damari quickly made an impression not just on the terrorists, but on her fellow captives. Despite losing two fingers, she maintained her humor, telling a fellow hostage in the hospital that it was “cool.” That hostage, Romi Gonen, recalled thinking, “Who is this nut?” as they both recovered post-surgery.

What followed was a captivity filled with contradictions. Damari questioned her captors about their tunnels and finances until they banned her from speaking. She created lice battles to pass the time. She showed fierce courage, once standing up to a Hamas commander, threatening to reveal their location if the abuse of fellow hostages continued. Her pushback startled the captors and may have saved lives.

Her experience in the infamous Hamas tunnels struck a surreal chord. Growing up near Gaza, she'd heard about them her whole life. When she was finally taken underground, she thought, “Wow, I’m in the Hamas tunnels!” A bizarre twist for someone raised in their shadow.

There were moments of deep emotional impact. The sight of her mother on a smuggled television broadcast brought her to tears. For months, she didn’t know if her family had survived. That fleeting image of her mother clutching her photo was a rare moment of connection and hope.

Damari was freed in January 2025 as part of a hostage exchange. But freedom brought new burdens. Visiting London to thank those who fought for her release, she spoke of the guilt she carries for the Berman twins, who remain in captivity. “Getting on the plane, sitting down, eating, drinking all of it comes with a lot of guilt,” she admitted.

Emily Damari’s story is not just one of survival. It’s a testament to the strength and humanity that endure even in the darkest corners of war. Her defiance, creativity, and compassion brought light into a place meant to crush spirits and remind us all of what it means to truly fight for life.

Israel will continue to stand strong for those still held hostage, and for the brave souls like Emily who make it home. Share this story and join our community by subscribing to our newsletter.