Following the release of Eli Sharabi from Gaza after 16 months of captivity, his family expresses relief and deep concern for his gaunt state and the potential loss of his wife and daughters, ultimately highlighting the emotional turmoil surrounding hostage situations.
Family's Mixed Emotions as Hostage Eli Sharabi is Freed from Gaza
Family's Mixed Emotions as Hostage Eli Sharabi is Freed from Gaza
The British family of Eli Sharabi grapples with joy and concern over his well-being after being released from captivity.
The British family of Eli Sharabi, an Israeli hostage recently released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, is experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. Mr. Sharabi, who endured 16 months of ordeal, appeared gaunt and fragile upon his release, igniting worries about his health and psychological state. His brother-in-law, Steve Brisley, residing in Bridgend, Wales, expressed elation that Eli is back but voiced anxiety regarding his condition, unable to confirm whether he knows of the tragic fate that befell his wife, Lianne, and their two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, who were murdered during the attack on October 7.
In a dramatic handover staged by Hamas in Deir al-Balah, Eli, 52, was one of three hostages repatriated to the Red Cross. Brisley described the release as a mix of joy and heartbreak, highlighting the immense emotional strain on the family during the last year and a half. “It’s the end of one part of the nightmare but the beginning of another,” he noted, reflecting the complexity of their emotions. He also criticized the public nature of Eli's release, stating that it resembled a “grotesque spectacle.”
The family beautifully summed up their feelings in a public statement expressing their relief yet horror at Eli's physical condition. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also raised concerns regarding the decorum of such release operations, urging all involved parties to ensure that future handovers are conducted privately and respectfully.
Eli's father-in-law, Pete Brisley, remarked on the uncertainty surrounding Eli's knowledge of the circumstances of his family’s deaths, as there were no witnesses to corroborate what he experienced during the attack. As the family awaits answers at the hospital, Pete speculated about the questions Eli might pose upon waking, primarily regarding the whereabouts of his wife and children.
Lianne, originally from Staple Hill, Bristol, had established her life in Israel, marrying Eli after moving there. The profound loss of their daughters, aged 16 and 13 at the time of their murder, has left an indelible mark on the family. Reports indicated that the family received the first confirmation of Eli’s survival only days before his release, intensifying their mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged the release of Eli and the other hostages, underscoring the unimaginable suffering they and their families have endured. The release aligns with a ceasefire arrangement between Hamas and Israel, which also involves exchanging a significant number of Palestinian prisoners.
Following the brutal attack on October 7, where 251 hostages were taken and approximately 1,200 people were killed, this complex situation continues to develop, showcasing the ongoing human cost of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
