'It Was Very Tough But I Love Life': Eli Sharabi Reflects on Survival After Loss of Family in Hamas Attacks

Sun Oct 12 2025 00:04:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a heartfelt interview, former Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi shares the harrowing details of his captivity and the tragic deaths of his wife and daughters during the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.

Eli Sharabi, a former Israeli hostage, discusses his ordeal and the loss of his family at the hands of Hamas. In an interview, he emphasizes his worry for the remaining hostages and calls for peace efforts. Despite the trauma, he expresses a determination to rebuild his life and cherish memories of his loved ones.

A former Israeli hostage whose British-Israeli wife and children were killed by Hamas in the 7 October attacks, Eli Sharabi, reflects on his harrowing experiences and the effects of the ongoing conflict. In an emotional interview, Sharabi, who spent 491 days in captivity, expressed concerns that the recent peace efforts to resolve the fighting between Israel and Hamas may fail, putting the remaining 20 hostages at further risk.

Sharabi implored U.S. President Donald Trump to utilize his influence to secure the release of all hostages, emphasizing the horrors that families like his endured due to the ongoing conflict. War is wrong and awful for both sides, he stated, appealing to Hamas to reconsider the path of violence.

Sharabi recounted the devastating day his family was attacked, where they were forced into hiding, only for gunmen to invade their safe room. Upon being taken hostage, he promised his daughters, 16-year-old Noiya and 13-year-old Yahel, that he would return. Yet, during his captivity, he was informed that they had tragically lost their lives, leading to heartbreak as he adjusted to life after his release.

Describing the abhorrent conditions he faced, including starvation and abuse in captivity, Sharabi revealed how he clung to hope for survival. “It's scary. It's humiliating when freedom is taken away from you,” he shared. Despite his trauma, he emphasizes the importance of living and loving life, saying, It was very tough, but I really, really love life… I’m trying to be positive.”

As the second anniversary of the attacks approaches, Sharabi continues to advocate for the release of hostages and hopes for a permanent resolution to the conflict. Through the pain of losing his family, he has found the strength to campaign for others and cherish their memories every day.