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Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari has married partner Danielle Amit in a ceremony held in Tel Aviv.

The couple, who met after Damari's release in 2025, have been engaged since January 2026.

Their wedding on Thursday was attended by several of Damari's fellow former hostages, including Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Danielle Gilboa, Omer Shem Tov, Keith and Aviva Siegal, and Gali and Ziv Berma.

Damari, 30, was held in Hamas captivity for more that 15 months after she was kidnapped from her home in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

She was shot in the leg and hand in the attack, losing two of her fingers.

In a statement announcing their marriage, the wedding was described as "a joyful new chapter for Emily".

The two brides celebrated with an intimate dinner for family and friends, before exchanging vows beneath the chuppah (traditional Jewish wedding canopy) in bespoke looks by Israeli fashion designer Oria Azran.

Damari's mother Mandy spoke about the 471 days her daughter was held in captivity, and told the couple that their nuptials "means more to me than just a wedding".

"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.

She went on: "Tonight, I don't want to look back at the 471 days. I want to look forward to all the days ahead".

Damari was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, abducted from a safe room in her home alongside twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

She was one of three hostages released some 15 months later as part of a temporary ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage by Hamas in the 7 October attack.

In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 73,430 people have been killed, according to the territory's health ministry.

 

SOURCE/AUTHOR : BBC NEWS/Tabby Wilson