Emily Damari, a 29‑year‑old British‑Israeli who spent 471 days as a Hamas captive, proposed to influencer Danielle Amit at a party marking the first anniversary of her release. Ms Damari lost two fingers and sustained leg injuries after being shot on Oct 7; the silhouette of her injured hand has become a symbol of resistance. The engagement, following a six‑month relationship, drew widespread support and some controversy over commercial uses of her injury.
Emily Damari Proposes One Year After Release — British‑Israeli Former Hostage Celebrates Love and Resilience
Emily Damari gets down on one knee to propose to Daniel Amit at a party with friends
Emily Damari, a 29-year-old British‑Israeli who spent 471 days captive in Gaza, proposed to her partner, influencer Danielle Amit, at a gathering marking the first anniversary of her release on Jan 19, 2025.
Ms Damari was shot in the hand on Oct 7 and subsequently lost her third and fourth fingers; she also sustained shrapnel wounds to her leg. The distinctive outline of her injured hand has since become a widely recognised symbol of resistance, appearing on posters, T‑shirts and social media imagery.
At the celebratory event held during the temporary truce, Ms Damari knelt and proposed in front of friends and supporters. The party featured a cake topped with a single candle to mark the one‑year milestone. The couple later shared a photo from the party with the caption: 'I went captive for her.'
Background and Public Response
Having endured 471 days as a Hamas captive, Ms Damari has said that, while in captivity, revealing her sexuality would have been 'worse than them knowing I was Jewish or Israeli,' a stark reminder of the personal danger she faced. Since her release, she has adopted a high public profile, becoming a symbol of hope for many while also attracting scrutiny.
Emily Damari’s relationship with food influencer Danielle Amit was played out on social media
Public figures expressed support for the engagement. Yair Golan, leader of the opposition Democrats party, praised the moment as evidence of enduring spirit and hope.
'Your engagement is far more than a private joy — it is the complete victory of spirit and hope.' — Yair Golan
Controversy and Community
Ms Damari's public role has not been without controversy. She released a chocolate cake priced above £30 and launched a clothing range that includes an embroidered image of her injured hand, moves that drew both commercial attention and criticism for their use of her trauma in merchandise.
Before proposing, Ms Damari publicly paid tribute to Gali and Ziv Berman, twin brothers and friends who were abducted from the Kfar Aza kibbutz and later freed as part of the ceasefire. 'Before they came back, everything was different. I was torn up, sad and weak,' she said, underscoring the shared emotional toll on those who remained and the relief of reunions.
Ms Damari and Ms Amit's engagement follows a six‑month relationship that largely unfolded in public on social media. The moment has prompted a mixture of celebration, reflection and debate about the line between personal recovery and public life after trauma.
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