Hostage Survivor Recounts Harrowing Captivity in Gaza

Emily Damari, who was held hostage in Gaza, shared a chilling account on Instagram marking three years since the October 7th Hamas attacks. Damari posted photos from her captivity, stating that at this time three years ago, on the holiday of Simchat Torah, she was deep inside the Gaza Strip. She recounted being kidnapped along with her best friend, Gali Berman, who had come to be with her during what she described as the most terrifying moments of her life, experiencing "fear of death."

Damari described being held at the Shifa Hospital by terrorists. She detailed a horrific scene inside a room filled with blood, with a dead body on the floor next to her. A man identifying himself as "Dr. Hamas," accompanied by ten armed individuals, approached her. She prayed for divine protection in this situation, noting that medical professionals would consider her survival a miracle.

She revealed that her leg continued to bleed for four months in Gaza, with an open gunshot wound. Stitches that should have been removed after 14 days remained for 365 days. Damari expressed gratitude to God, her family, security forces, and the Israeli people for their unwavering efforts to secure her release. She also specifically thanked Romi Gonen, a fellow hostage, for her support.

Damari concluded by expressing her thanks for surviving the ordeal and for the opportunity to return to Israel to embrace her loved ones, share her story, and begin the process of rehabilitation.