New Delhi:
After spending 491 days in Hamas captivity, Eli Sharabi was finally freed on Saturday morning, but his return to Israel came with an unimaginable heartbreak. He had no knowledge that his wife and two daughters had been killed during the October 7 Hamas attack in 2023.
Mr. Sharabi was filmed saying, “I am very happy today to return to my wife and daughters,” as per the BBC- completely unaware that his wife, Leanne, and daughters, Noya (16) and Yahel (13), had been murdered in their home in Kibbutz Be’eri. As he was set to be freed, he was also informed that his brother, Yossi Sharabi, had died in captivity- his body still being held in Gaza.
Horrific.
It appears Eli Sharabi only found out that Hamas murdered his wife, two teenage daughters, and family dog after he was released today.
He survived a living hell only to find out his family is gone. Please pray for him. pic.twitter.com/Aj2Hd4RBQ2
— AG (@AGHamilton29) February 8, 2025
Eli Sharabi was among three hostages freed by Hamas as part of the latest prisoner exchange deal, which saw Israel release 183 Palestinian prisoners under an internationally brokered ceasefire agreement. The other two hostages, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, were handed over to the Red Cross before reuniting with their families in Israel.
Eli’s brother described his shock:
Mr Sharabi’s UK-based family described their shock at his gaunt and frail appearance upon his release.
His brother, Sharon, who campaigned tirelessly for his release, told The Jerusalem Post, “Eli is the last remnant of the Sharabi family still living in Gaza captivity. We have lost four family members. Around the Shabbat table, five chairs are missing. Four of them will never be sat in again.”
Mr Sharabi’s brother-in-law, Steve Brisley, told the BBC that his “gaunt” appearance was deeply troubling. “It’s incredibly difficult to see him so thin and gaunt. But what really struck home for me was the light that’s gone from his eyes.”
At the same time, Palestinian prisoners were welcomed home in Ramallah and other parts of the occupied West Bank. Representatives claimed they needed medical care, though no specifics were given.
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