British-Israeli Hostage Shares Story of Survival After 15 Months in Gaza**

Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman recently released from Hamas captivity, reflects on her painful recovery journey and emphasizes hope, freedom, and the necessity for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. Her experience sheds light on the dire conditions faced by hostages in Gaza.**

Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman held for 15 months by Hamas, has emerged with a powerful message about resilience after undergoing multiple surgeries for her injuries. The 28-year-old lost two fingers and sustained severe injuries during Hamas's unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023, when she was forcibly taken from her home in southern Israel. Following her release, Damari stated that her scars signify "freedom, hope, and strength," as she embarks on recuperation at Sheba Medical Center in Israel.

Damari's traumatic experience included an operation in Gaza that caused her "intense pain" for 18 months. She recounted enduring an open, festering wound that remained unhealed for months under the harsh conditions of her captivity. Despite this suffering, she emphasizes her determination to find meaning in her pain.

Having been held for 471 days, Damari described the horrific conditions faced by other hostages, expressing shock at their physical states upon release. "Hamas has created hell on Earth," she remarked, underscoring the urgent need for the release of other hostages still in captivity.

Accompanied by her mother, Mandy Damari, who highlighted the critical medical care her daughter received in Israel after being "sewn up like a pin-cushion" in Gaza, Emily expressed gratitude for the support she received during her ordeal. They are preparing for a visit to the UK to reconnect with friends and supporters, had been invited to Downing Street by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Amid concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with at least 48,365 reported deaths in Gaza due to the conflict ignited by the attacks, Damari's story serves as a harrowing reminder of the devastating impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict. In the aftermath of an initial ceasefire, regional dynamics remain fraught, with calls for investigations into the treatment of hostages and allegations of neglect by international bodies like the United Nations.