British-Israeli hostage says scars show 'hope' ahead of surgery

British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, who was released after being held captive by Hamas for 15 months, says her scars represent "freedom, hope, and strength," and she is undergoing a series of surgeries to treat her injuries. She expressed that these scars serve as a constant reminder of her ordeal and the resilience she found within herself.

Damari, 28, was shot in the hand and lost two fingers when she was dragged from her home in southern Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. She said that a surgery in Gaza left her in "excruciating pain" for a year and a half, and that scars from the "open, festering wounds" took months to heal due to the harsh conditions of her confinement. The lack of proper medical care significantly hampered her recovery during captivity.

Before receiving treatment, Damari said she had "completely accepted" the pain and injuries because they were symbolic to her. Damari was held by Hamas in Gaza for 471 days before her release. She was among the first hostages released in a ceasefire agreement reached between the Palestinian armed group and Israel after 15 months of fighting. This release marked a significant step towards de-escalation in the conflict.

Damari was also shot in the leg, and she previously said that she only received a bottle of expired iodine to treat her wounds during her captivity. The 28-year-old woman stated that the complex surgeries on her hand and leg at Israel's Sheba Medical Center were "much better than expected." She said the scars on her hand "look much better," and the pain caused by "nerves being sewn together" in Gaza has disappeared. The advanced medical care she is now receiving is a stark contrast to the conditions she endured while held hostage.

Now, with the help of physical therapy, she hopes to improve the use of her hand. But Damari noted that her recovery will take time, and her hand "will never fully recover." She said the conditions of the hostages' captivity were "unimaginable." She recalled, "It was shocking but not surprising to see some of the other hostages come out so emaciated." The trauma of her experience continues to impact her daily life as she navigates the healing process.

"Hamas created hell on earth," she said, adding that some others are in "much worse" mental and physical condition than she is. She called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. Damari's mother, who grew up in Beckenham, southeast London, added that her daughter was "stitched up like a pin cushion" in Gaza. "It's a miracle she didn't get a life-threatening infection," said Mandy Damari. The international community continues to exert pressure for the release of all hostages held in Gaza.

Damari said she is "very excited" to visit the UK with her mother once she has healed and the remaining hostages are released. "There are so many people I want to thank in person for helping me get my life back." UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has invited the mother and daughter to Downing Street, having previously spoken to Damari by phone. In that conversation, she said she was held in a United Nations facility during her captivity. The UN's Gaza agency has called for an independent investigation into the allegation. This visit would be a significant opportunity to share her story and advocate for continued support for victims of the conflict.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas abducted 251 hostages and killed 1,200 others when it attacked Israel. The attack sparked a war that has devastated Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in the region, at least 48,365 people have been killed in Israel's military offensive. A first-phase ceasefire came into effect on January 19, allowing the release of 33 Israelis and 5 Thai hostages in exchange for some 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The ongoing conflict continues to have devastating consequences for civilians on both sides.