Freed Hamas hostage Emily Damari weds in Tel Aviv after 15-month captivity

Former British‑Israeli hostage Emily Damari married her partner Dami Amit in a private ceremony in Tel Aviv on Thursday. The wedding, held under a chuppah, was attended by a number of Damari’s fellow former hostages and by close family and friends. The couple had been engaged since January 2026, after meeting following Damari’s release from Hamas captivity in 2025.

Damari, 30, was abducted from her home in southern Israel on 7 October 2023 during the Hamas attack that sparked the current war. She was held for more than 15 months, during which she was shot in the leg and hand and lost two fingers. She was one of three hostages released as part of a temporary ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in late 2024. The 7 October attack killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, prompting Israel to launch a military campaign in Gaza that, according to the Gaza health ministry, has killed more than 73,430 people to date.

The Tel Aviv ceremony was described by Damari and her partner as “a joyful new chapter for Emily” in a statement released after the wedding. The couple exchanged vows beneath a custom‑made chuppah and celebrated with an intimate dinner for family and friends. Damari wore a bespoke wedding dress designed by Israeli fashion designer Oria Azran.

Among the guests were several of Damari’s former captors, including Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Danielle Gilboa, Omer Shem Tov, Keith and Aviva Siegal, and Gali and Ziv Berma. The presence of these former hostages underscored the shared experience that brought the couple together after Damari’s release.

Damari’s mother, Mandy, spoke at the celebration, reflecting on her daughter’s 471 days in captivity. “During those endless days and nights, there were moments when the thought of standing here tonight, seeing my daughter alive, safe, happy, and standing beside the person she loves, would have been impossible to imagine,” she said. “Tonight, I don’t want to look back at the 471 days. I want to look forward to all the days ahead.”

The wedding is one of several personal milestones that have emerged in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, as survivors and their families seek to rebuild their lives. Damari’s marriage marks a significant personal triumph after a prolonged period of trauma and loss. The event was held in a city that has been a focal point of the broader conflict, yet it provided a moment of normalcy and hope for the couple and their community.

In the broader context, the 7 October attack remains one of the most devastating in Israel’s history. The conflict has resulted in a high civilian death toll in Gaza and has drawn international attention to the humanitarian crisis. The release of hostages, including Damari, has been hailed as a rare success in a conflict that has largely been dominated by violence and loss.

Damari’s wedding, attended by former hostages and friends, symbolizes resilience and the possibility of moving forward after a period of extreme hardship. The ceremony, while intimate, was a public statement of recovery and the enduring human capacity for love and renewal.