Freed Israeli Hostage's Family Expresses Mixed Emotions Over His Condition

Eli Sharabi's release after 16 months brings relief and heartache for his British family, grappling with his frail appearance and the loss of loved ones.

The family of Eli Sharabi, an Israeli hostage freed from Gaza after 16 months, is experiencing a whirlwind of emotions following his release on Saturday. While they are relieved to know he is alive, concerns about his frail condition and the knowledge of the violent deaths of his wife and daughters weigh heavily on their hearts. Eli, 52, was captured by Hamas during an attack on Kibbutz Beeri on October 7, 2023. His wife, Lianne, along with their two teenage daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were subsequently murdered at their home.

Eli was released alongside two other hostages, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, in a carefully staged event in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. His brother-in-law, Steve Brisley, residing in Bridgend, South Wales, expressed both joy at Eli's release and sorrow over the challenging images of his gaunt appearance, noting, "To see him paraded in the way he was in that propaganda fashion was incredibly difficult." Steve voiced frustration about the lack of clarity around whether Eli knows about his family's fate.

A family statement echoed their joy at Eli’s return but lamented his physical state, describing the release as a "grotesque spectacle." The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which facilitated the handover, has urged for future releases to occur in more dignified and private settings.

Eli’s brother-in-law reflected on the uncertainty surrounding Eli's knowledge of the tragic deaths, saying, "We still don't know whether he knows that he's lost his family." Eli's father-in-law, Pete Brisley, expressed disbelief at Eli's frail appearance, likening it to someone emerging from a concentration camp, noting, "He looks like he's just come out of a concentration camp."

Lianne, Eli's wife, had roots in the UK before moving to Israel and subsequently starting a family. The couple built a life together, raising their daughters in what they hoped would be peace, only for those dreams to be shattered. Foreign Secretary David Lammy welcomed the release of Eli and the other hostages, calling attention to the need for implementing a ceasefire to secure the release of remaining captives.

In the wake of Eli's release, the ongoing conflict continues to cause devastating casualties on both sides. Since October 7, 2023, Hamas has taken 251 hostages and claimed the lives of around 1,200 individuals during their attack on Israel. In retaliation, Israel has reported approximately 47,500 Palestinian casualties and extensive destruction in Gaza. The shifting situation continues to raise concerns, as families await the clarification on the fate of their loved ones.