Emily Damari, a British citizen, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7th from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. For many years, Emily regularly visited the UK, where her mum grew up, having travelled to White Hart Lane to watch Tottenham Hotspur play just months before she was taken hostage. Emily was one of seven members of the Kibbutz Kfar Aza ‘young generation’ neighbourhood taken hostage on October 7th. She was shot by Hamas terrorists before being driven away towards Gaza. Since, released hostages have said that Emily has been kept in deep Hamas tunnels in underground Gaza.
Eli Sharabi was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7th from his family home in Kibbutz Be’eri. His British wife, Lianne, and two British daughters, Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, were all brutally murdered on October 7th when Hamas terrorists took them hostage in their safe room and set fire to their house. Eli’s brother-in-law, British citizen Stephen Brisley, has been campaigning in the UK for his return across national media and with senior politicians.
Oded Lifshitz was taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of October 7th along with his wife, Yocheved, both founders of the Kibbutz. While Yocheved was freed later in October 2023, Oded remains in captivity. His daughter, Sharone, is a British citizen living in London, and has been campaigning for her father’s release. Oded, a life-long journalist and peace activist, regularly transported patients from Gaza to receive medical treatment in hospitals across Israel.
Avinatan Or was taken hostage from the Nova music festival on October 7th, along with his girlfriend Noa Argamani. His mother, Ditza, is British. Avinatan and Noa hid for several hours, trying to call for rescue, but eventually were separated and taken to Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Whilst Noa was rescued by the IDF in June 2024, Avinatan remains captive. He is a graduate of Ben-Gurion University and hoped to live in Tel Aviv with Noa.
Tsachi Idan was taken hostage from his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7th. His cousin, Adam Ma’anit who lives in Brighton, has been campaigning for his release. Tsachi was in his home’s safe room with the rest of his family the morning of October 7th. As terrorists entered their home, Tsachi held the safe room door shut with the help of his daughter Maayan, 18. The terrorists shot through the door, killing Maayan and breaking into the safe room. The family were marched out of their house, with Tsachi taken hostage to Gaza.
Yossi Sharabi, brother of Eli, brother-in-law of British citizen Lianne Sharabi and uncle of Yahel and Noiya, was taken hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7th. Hamas terrorists arrived at their home and marched the family out, eventually forcing Yossi into a vehicle and taking him to Gaza. British citizen Stephen Brisley had been campaigning in the UK for Yossi’s return. Sadly, in January 2024, Kibbutz Be’eri announced Yossi’s death in captivity.