Hamas Captivity Survivor Emily Damari Reacts to Captor’s Elimination

Emily Damari, a survivor of Hamas captivity during the October 7, 2023, massacre, expressed relief and resolve after the IDF eliminated Muhammad Nasr Ali Quneita, the terrorist who held her hostage. In an emotional Instagram post, Damari wrote, “One of many. Yes, there should be many more good news like this and we will hold them accountable for it all, G-d willing. But the real victory will be when Gali, Ziv and the other 48 hostages return.” Quneita, killed in a targeted strike in Gaza approximately one month ago, was a key Hamas operative who infiltrated Israel during the attack that killed 1,200 and abducted 251, including Damari, whom he held in his home early in the war.

Recalling her ordeal, Damari described Quneita’s cruelty: “I remember his face that day when he transferred me to the tunnels deep beneath the ground. Where there’s no air, no light, and no will to live. Above us, we could hear planes, bombs, and an entire war unfolding. Then he looked at me with the smile of a deceiver and told me ‘That’s it, tomorrow you’re going home.’” She saw through his manipulation, stating, “He said it so I would start to have hope. So I would wait and wait, and nothing would happen. I looked at him and told him he was a liar.” Defiant despite the risk, she added, “He looked at me angrily and asked, ‘Me? A liar? Why do you think that?’ And I said to him, ‘Because I hear the planes. There’s no ceasefire and no deal close.’ And sadly, between the two of us, I was right.”

The Shin Bet and IDF confirmed Quneita’s central role in Hamas’s atrocities. Damari’s post resonated on X, with one user noting, “Her courage shames Hamas’s lies.” With 50 hostages still in Gaza amid stalled Doha talks, Damari’s call for their return underscores the ongoing human toll of the conflict, which has claimed 41,000 Palestinian and 888 Israeli lives since October 2023.