The release of Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi from Gaza, frail and thin after nearly sixteen months in captivity, has provoked intense emotions and outrage worldwide. Despite the challenging conditions and torture endured by the hands of Hamas, Eli is showing signs of recovery, according to his brother Sharon, who tirelessly worked for Eli’s release.

Sharabi, an observant Jew, refrained from watching the live broadcast of his brother’s release that coincided with Shabbat. However, upon their reunion, his happiness was tempered with the devastating news that their family, including Eli’s mother and older sister, had been murdered shortly after his abduction.

Eli’s journey to freedom unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities, with his brother Yossi’s fate still uncertain. Yossi, also taken captive on October 7, 2023, is reportedly dead, a claim attributed to Israeli airstrikes, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. The Sharabi family is now fighting for Yossi’s remains to be returned for proper burial, underscoring their commitment to reuniting hostages with their families.

The emotional and political complexities of the situation are further highlighted by the recent ceasefire and the challenges in negotiating future hostage releases. The Sharabi family’s struggle has put a human face to the broader conflict, emphasizing the desperation for resolution and closure.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/brother-of-former-hostage-eli-sharabi-says-he-was-tortured-and-starved-while-captive-in-gaza-13317055