Former Hamas Hostages Rebuild Lives Amidst Trauma and New Beginnings
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Former Hamas hostages are recounting their efforts to rebuild their lives three years after the October 7th attacks. Abducted individuals like Emily Damari and Emily Hand are finding new purposes and coping mechanisms, from launching businesses to surfing. Eli Sharabi, who lost multiple family members, established a support center in their memory. Other former captives are drawing strength from family and community as they navigate trauma and pursue new futures, with some finding therapy in activities like baking.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Hamas hostages are rebuilding their lives three years after the October 7th attacks.
- Emily Damari launched a fashion brand and married culinary influencer Danielle Amit.
- Eli Sharabi, who lost his wife and daughters, co-founded a trauma support center in Ashkelon.
- Emily Hand, abducted at age 8, finds solace and focus through surfing.
- Hagar Brodutch is using baking as therapy and a path to a new professional future.
- Aviva and Keith Siegel are striving for normalcy after their separate releases.
Three years after the October 7th Hamas attacks, former hostages are sharing their experiences of rebuilding their lives, grappling with persistent trauma, and pursuing new projects. Emily Damari, who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza and released in January 2025, described how captivity fundamentally altered her perspective. "Today, I open the refrigerator and I say thank you. I drink cold water and I say thank you," she stated, emphasizing that she will "never again take freedom for granted." Damari has since married culinary influencer Danielle Amit and launched a fashion brand in Israel.
Emily Hand, taken from Kibbutz Beeri at age 8 and freed in December 2023, finds solace in surfing, describing it as a space where she can focus solely on the sea. Eli Sharabi, released in February 2025 after 491 days in captivity, lost his wife Lianne, daughters Noya and Yahel, and brother Yossi. He has since co-founded a center in Ashkelon to aid families dealing with trauma and disability in memory of his lost relatives, declaring, "I choose life."
Other former hostages are also finding ways to move forward. Rimon Buchshtab-Kirscht has recounted her captivity experience. Doron Steinbrecher, released after 471 days, draws strength from her family, friends, and those who advocated for her release. Agam Berger, a former IDF observer abducted from the Nahal Oz base and held for 482 days, also highlights the support of her family, the Israeli people, and her desire to spread hope.
Hagar Brodutch, who was taken with her three children and young Avigail, finds baking to be both therapeutic and a path to a new professional future. "It's much more than learning to bake. It's finding a new path, creating something with my own hands and slowly building a future," she explained. Aviva and Keith Siegel, both abducted from Kfar Aza and released months apart, are also striving for normalcy. Aviva, who campaigned for hostage releases while her husband was still held, finds strength in their reunion and their family.
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