Emily Damari told UK PM Keir Starmer: "Hamas held me in UNRWA buildings

A British-Israeli woman who spent 15 months as a Hamas hostage says she was held in United Nations facilities during her captivity in Gaza, according to her family.

Emily Damari told UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that Hamas kept her in buildings belonging to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Her mother Mandy Damari shared these details on social media after her daughter's recent release.

During the October 7 attack last year, Damari was shot in both her hand and leg. Her captors gave her only expired iodine for treatment, resulting in the loss of two fingers on her left hand.

UNRWA called the allegations "very serious" and said it has repeatedly requested independent investigations into armed groups using its facilities.

The revelation comes as Israel faces mounting criticism over its ban on UNRWA operations, citing alleged ties between the agency and Hamas. This has sparked international debate about delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Damari was freed during the first round of prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas. Her mother says she faces "a long road ahead" recovering from her injuries.

UNRWA is currently under scrutiny from Israel, which accuses the agency of connections to terrorism. The agency maintains its facilities should remain neutral spaces focused on humanitarian work.