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Israeli hostage, unaware of wife & daughters’ death, says ‘very happy to return’
- The Israeli hostage was informed later that his wife, Leanne, and daughters, Noya (16) and Yahel (13), were killed in their home in Kibbutz Be'eri
Gaza War: On Saturday, three Israeli hostages were released by the Hamas after being held in captivity for 491 days. Among them was Eli Sharabi, a man unaware of the demise of his family members back in Kibbutz Be'eri.
Sharabi had no knowledge that his wife and two daughters were killed in the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants.
On his arrival, Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi said: "I am very happy today to return to my wife and daughters," according to a BBC report.
Later, he was informed that his wife, Leanne, and daughters, Noya (16) and Yahel (13), were killed in their home in Kibbutz Be'eri.
Sharabi was also told that his brother, Yossi Sharabi, had died in Hamas captivity, but his body is still being held in Gaza.
Sharabi's UK-based family members expressed their shock at his gaunt and frail appearance upon his release.
His brother-in-law, Steve Brisley, told BBC: "It's incredibly difficult to see him so thin and gaunt. But what really struck home for me was the light that's gone from his eyes."
Sharabi's brother told The Jerusalem Post: "Eli is the last remnant of the Sharabi family still living in Gaza captivity. We have lost four family members. Around the Shabbat table, five chairs are missing. Four of them will never be sat in again."
Hamas-Israel Hostages release
On Saturday morning, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that the three hostages--Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy, and Eli Sharabi – had been handed over to the Red Cross, which escorted them to Israeli territory. IDF and Shin Bet forces received them upon arrival, where they were scheduled for initial medical evaluations.
Hamas staged a public event before their release, forcing the hostages to participate in a propaganda display. During the ceremony, a masked Hamas operative delivered a speech while the three captives were paraded on stage holding certificates. Behind them, banners in Arabic, Hebrew, and English read: "We're the flood, the war's next day," a statement seemingly directed at US President Donald Trump following his recent declaration that the US would "take over" Gaza, reported Times of Israel.
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Business NewsNewsWorldIsraeli hostage, unaware of wife & daughters’ death, says ‘very happy to return’
First Published:9 Feb 2025, 03:56 PM IST
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