The Psychology of Survival: How Faith Sustained hostages Emily Damari and Omer Shem Tov

When people are thrust into extreme situations, such as being held hostage in the hands of Hamas in Gaza, their survival often hinges on more than physical endurance. Psychologists have long documented that faith, whether religious, spiritual, or rooted in a deeply personal belief system, can be a crucial lifeline in the darkest circumstances.

It coudn't be different with the former hostages Emily Damari and Omer Shem Tov.

Emily Damari, a strenght of nature

Dr. Yael Bar-Tal, a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma, explains that faith acts as an “anchor in chaos,” offering captives a framework for meaning even when reality is unpredictable or terrifying.

“When you believe there is a reason to endure, be it divine purpose, a promise to loved ones, or a belief in eventual rescue, you have a mental stronghold that hostile conditions cannot easily erode,” she says.

Emily Damari passed through hell. A 28-year-old British-Israeli, Damari emerged as one of the first hostages to be released from Hamas after enduring 471 days in captivity, becoming both a symbol of tragedy and defiance. Her harrowing journey exposed the brutality she faced and the remarkable strength she displayed in response.

“This is my house and this is where I was kidnapped from. There were a lot of noises, shooting, windows breaking. And then they just got inside, shot my hand, and I heard the terrorist say “kalb”, "dog" in Arabic. And then they shoot my dog Choocha.”

Despite her suffering, Damari maintained defiance and resourcefulness. Her captors nicknamed her “John Cena” for her morning exercise routines. At one point, she even confronted a former Hamas bodyguard pushing another captor victim, exclaiming in Hebrew, “What are you doing?” and attempting to demand better conditions.

How faith kept Emily alive

Research in post-war trauma and Holocaust survivor testimonies has shown that individuals with strong spiritual convictions were more likely to maintain psychological stability during prolonged captivity. Faith provided them not only with hope but also with a structured narrative that helped them resist mental collapse.

In the moment of her release, Emily, accompanied by the fellow hostages freed with her, expressed a deep moment of faith:

“ We prayed together, we did shecheianu in Gaza. Blessed is you God who has given us life, sustained us and helped us to reach this moment, amen!”

On January 19, 2025, Damari was among the first hostages released under a ceasefire deal. Reunited with her mother, she declared she was “the happiest girl in the world,” even as she mourned those still held captive.

Omer Shem Tov: an example of resilience and trust in Hashem

In hostage situations, captives often have no control over their surroundings, movements, or future. Faith can counter this powerlessness by giving a sense of internal control, believing in a higher plan or moral order that transcends the captors’ authority. This mindset can also reduce the psychological toll of isolation, fear, and uncertainty. And Omer Shem Tov couldn't be a better example.

A 22-year-old Israeli from Herzliya, Shem Tov was abducted during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault at the Nova music festival. Omer spent a staggering 505 days in captivity, much of it in near-total isolation in subterranean tunnels. For the first 50 days, he was confined in a pitch-black “dungeon,” surviving on a daily biscuit, sips of salt water, and the briefest light from a fading flashlight. Amid the suffering, Shem Tov found spiritual courage. Using half a bottle of grape juice, he performed Kiddush each Shabbat for five months, the juice miraculously never diminished or spoiled. He likened it to the Hanukkah miracle, a personal beacon of hope

“There were a few times where I asked myself why God chose me to be taken captive. But I think I just needed to trust Him, because Hashem is great, He is good, He is gracious, He is merciful. I really do believe He put me on this path for some reason.”

Survivors of previous abductions in conflict zones have reported that prayer, reciting sacred texts, or holding onto symbolic rituals served as vital coping mechanisms. Some describe visualizing reunions with family, while others recall repeating mantras or imagining divine protection as a mental shield against despair.

“I accepted my path that I had and I thanked God for everything,” Said Shem Tov about his time in captivity.

“Faith,” says Dr. Bar-Tal, “is ultimately about holding onto something bigger than the fear in front of you. In captivity, that can be the difference between psychological survival and collapse.”

As families and nations grapple with the ongoing plight of hostages in Gaza, the role of faith, whether in God, humanity, or hope itself, remains a quiet but powerful force keeping people alive until freedom is restored.