Desperate Plea: Mother of British Hostage in Gaza Calls for Urgent Government Action

In a heartfelt interview, Mandy Damari expresses her fears for her daughter Emily's wellbeing after over a year in captivity and calls on the UK government to prioritize the release of hostages amidst ongoing geopolitical negotiations.

Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari, the only British-Israeli hostage held by Hamas, openly expressed her growing fears for her daughter's life after more than 400 days of captivity. Taken from her home in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Emily, 28, has faced dire conditions according to her mother. “I fear that she's dead,” Mandy said in her first televised interview. “If she's not dead, she’s likely enduring conditions that threaten her health and survival."

Mandy highlighted her daughter's suffering from gunshot wounds, indicating that her situation is critical. “I worry every day, I worry every second because in the next moment, she could be killed,” she lamented. The emotional plea comes as the mother seeks more proactive involvement from the British government in securing humanitarian aid for the hostages while negotiations for their release are stagnant.

In a glimmer of hope, Mandy referenced recent statements made by US President-elect Donald Trump, who implied severe consequences for Hamas if the hostages were not released before his inauguration in January. “It made me more optimistic,” Mandy explained, hoping for decisive actions that prioritizes hostages’ wellbeing. Emily was among around 250 others abducted during a deadly attack that killed about 1,200 people.

Negotiations facilitated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar have struggled, with accusations exchanged between Hamas and Israel about responsibility for the delays. Trump, in a recent social media post, criticized these negotiations and hinted at punitive measures should the hostages remain unaccounted for once he takes office.

Additionally, Mandy shared her disappointment regarding the British government's response, criticizing their support for a recent UN resolution that sought an immediate ceasefire in Gaza without making hostage releases a condition. “It was basically signing a death warrant for her,” she articulated, imploring for more robust efforts to secure her daughter's freedom.

While conducting meetings with political leaders in the UK, Mandy did not hold back in expressing her anguish, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid for the hostages. “It’s a human right to allow people to see what’s happening to her,” she asserted, asserting her position as both a mother and a voice for her daughter.

Mandy initially remained silent, believing in governmental negotiations, but she now feels compelled to advocate publicly—asserting Emily's identity as a dual citizen dangerously forgotten in the conflict. With over 44,500 fatalities reported in Gaza since the onset of the military campaign, the need for clarity and action regarding the hostages is more critical than ever.