Ex-Hamas Hostage, Who Lost Family in October 7th Attack, Urges Continued Push for Remaining Captives: “I Really, Really Love Life”
TEL AVIV – Released hostage Eli Sharabi, whose wife, daughters, and mother were killed during the Hamas attacks of October 7th, has spoken publicly about his grief and renewed calls for the return of the remaining 48 hostages held in gaza.Sharabi, released in Febuary as part of a hostage deal facilitated with U.S.assistance, described a moment of profound sadness recalling his first phone call as a free man – to his wife’s parents in Wales, to share news of his family’s deaths. The funerals for his family were held in Israel while he remained captive,unaware of their fate.
Sharabi’s ordeal began on October 7th when Hamas militants attacked his kibbutz, Nir Oz. He was taken hostage alongside his wife, lianne, and their daughters, Noiya and Yahel. His mother, Yossi, was also killed in the attack. Despite the immense loss, Sharabi has become a vocal advocate for the release of the remaining hostages, even meeting with former President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, were he urged him to “finish the job and help all the others to come back as well.” He believes Trump’s pressure on Israel and Hamas was instrumental in securing his own release.
Speaking on Wednesday, Sharabi expressed worry about the potential collapse of the recently proposed peace plan, stating, “of course – vrey worried. probably two days ago we were sure it’s very close, but it doesn’t look that close, unfortunately.” He nonetheless urged continued faith, calling the proposal “very good news” and emphasizing the need “not [to] lose our faith that one day there will be an agreement.”
Sharabi underscored the dire situation facing those still held captive, noting that the ongoing war – which has resulted in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths in Gaza according to the hamas-run health ministry – directly endangers their lives. “Everybody knows when the war continues it puts the hostages’ life in risk,” he said. “For me, when I want all the 48 hostages back today, tomorrow, I just want it to stop… War is awful, people are suffering from war, but we can’t forget who started that, and who’s the bad guy and who’s the good guy.”
To ensure awareness of his experience, Sharabi has written a book, Hostage. He believes his avid reader wife, Lianne, would be proud of him for doing so. While acknowledging the difficulty of life without his family, Sharabi insists they remain present in his thoughts daily. “Yossi, Lianne, noiya and Yahel are with me every day in my life, every moment. But I’m quite sure they will be alongside my life, not instead of my life.”
He rejects the idea of succumbing to grief, stating, ”I don’t have the privilege to stay in bed and cry all day after my family and my friends fought for me for 500 days. It’s unacceptable for me to do it.” Recognized as a hero by strangers in Israel, Sharabi concluded, “It was very tough, but I really, really love life… I’m trying to be positive. I’m working on that.”
