On a day marked by mixed emotions, Eli Sharabi, an Israeli held captive by Hamas for 491 days, was released as part of a prisoner exchange agreement. Sharabi, unaware of the tragic loss of his wife and two daughters during a Hamas attack on October 7, was handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday. The release follows a three-phase agreement aimed at brokering a permanent end to the 15-month war, which has claimed nearly 47,000 Palestinian lives.
Sharabi was among the 250 Israelis taken hostage during the attack that left about 1,200 dead. The ordeal began when armed men stormed his home, setting his family's safe room ablaze and killing their dog. Sharabi's brother, Yossi, was also taken hostage that day. Upon his release, Sharabi appeared emaciated and severely malnourished, escorted onto a stage by masked Hamas fighters before being transferred to the Red Cross.
Gill, Lianne’s mother, expressed the turbulent emotions experienced by Sharabi's family and friends upon his return.
“Seeing Eli come out now, it brought everything back. [We] sat and bawled our eyes out,” said Gill.
Despite the physical toll of captivity, Sharabi managed to convey his gratitude and hope for a reunion with his lost loved ones.
“I feel very, very happy today to return to my family and friends – to my wife and daughters. I truly hope to see them very soon,” stated Eli Sharabi.
Stephen Brisley, reflecting on Sharabi's physical condition, noted the severe impact of his time in captivity.
“You can see the clothes are hanging off of him. You can see his face was gone. The spark and the light has gone from his eyes. His cheeks are sunken.”
The release occurred as part of a broader exchange where Hamas agreed to free Sharabi in return for 183 Palestinian prisoners. This exchange is a crucial component of efforts to bring an end to the prolonged conflict that has devastated countless lives.
Gill shared a poignant moment during Sharabi's release, highlighting the depth of their loss.
“I was sitting there cuddling Lianne’s teddy bear. I think I made him wet actually. It reminded us of what we lost.”
Sharabi's family remains cautious about the future, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his mental and physical state after such an ordeal.
“It’s a bittersweet day because we don’t know, other than the fact that he’s alive, exactly what state he’s in physically and mentally,” remarked Stephen Brisley.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Sharabi's family found moments of solace in his resilience.
“He got choked up a couple of times but managed a small smile for us. Such a brave man,” commented Gill and Pete Brisley.