The October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel led to devastating losses for many families, including that of Eli Sharabi, an Israeli hostage who was unaware of the tragic fate of his wife and two daughters.
Recently freed from captivity, Sharabi was confronted with the heartbreaking news only after his release. His British family, who had also suffered immeasurable loss, shared their emotions and experiences surrounding his release and the immense grief that followed.
The Devastation of October 7
The attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel, with Hamas also seizing 251 hostages. Among those brutally affected was Eli Sharabi’s family. His wife, Lianne Sharabi, originally from Bristol, and their daughters, 16-year-old Noiya and 13-year-old Yahel, were killed in their safe house, found “cuddled together” in the aftermath.
Lianne’s parents, Gill and Pete Brisley, had to endure the agony of losing their daughter and granddaughters while also worrying about Eli, who was still in captivity. The emotional weight of the tragedy was compounded by uncertainty—until Eli’s release, his British relatives did not know whether he was aware of his family’s fate.
When Eli was finally freed and handed over to the Red Cross as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire agreement, he expressed his joy at returning home, seemingly unaware of the loss that awaited him.
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His statement about reuniting with his wife and daughters deeply unsettled his in-laws, who feared he was yet to learn the painful truth. Later, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier informed Eli of his family’s fate, leaving him to process the unimaginable grief.
Emotional Reunion and the Harsh Reality
Eli Sharabi’s return was marked by a mix of relief and sorrow. His release, along with two other hostages, was part of a broader ceasefire deal that saw the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
While his in-laws were overjoyed to see him alive, they were also confronted with the physical toll captivity had taken on him. His father-in-law, Pete Brisley, described Eli as “emaciated,” with “hollow eyes, sunken cheeks, and stick-thin wrists.” The transformation from his once healthy appearance was a stark reminder of the ordeal he had endured.
Despite his physical and emotional exhaustion, Eli managed to speak to his in-laws through a video call. He was described as “lucid,” though his voice was weak. His mother-in-law, Gill Brisley, recounted how he got choked up multiple times but still found the strength to smile.
For the Brisleys, seeing Eli alive was a source of solace, though it could never compensate for their losses. Holding onto memories of Lianne, Noiya, and Yahel was all they could do now, they said, emphasizing their determination to ensure their loved ones were never forgotten.
The emotional weight of the moment was further intensified by the knowledge that Eli’s brother, Yossi, had also been taken hostage on October 7. Unlike Eli, Yossi did not make it out alive.
Hamas claimed that he died due to an Israeli airstrike, though Israeli authorities suggested other possible causes. The uncertainty surrounding his death added another layer of tragedy to an already heart-wrenching situation for the Sharabi family.
Ceasefire and the Larger Conflict
Eli Sharabi’s release was part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, initiated on January 19, 2024. As part of the deal, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages in weekly increments, while Israel agreed to free 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
Since the ceasefire began, 16 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian prisoners have been released. The agreement marked a temporary pause in the ongoing war, which has had catastrophic consequences for both sides.
The war, triggered by Hamas’ initial attack, has led to devastating destruction in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 47,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli offensive began.
The UN reports that about two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The scale of destruction highlights the immense humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict, with countless families on both sides suffering unimaginable losses.
For the Brisley family, Eli’s return brings a small sense of closure, but it does not erase the deep wounds left by the October 7 attack. As they prepare to reunite with him in person, their focus remains on helping him recover from his traumatic ordeal.
“We hope to be a part of getting him back to some sort of normal,” Pete Brisley said. But in a world forever changed by that fateful day, what constitutes “normal” may never be the same again.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏