Former Israeli hostage tells of wife and daughters who died

Former Israeli hostage tells of wife and daughters who died

An Israeli man who from Hamas held hostage for 491 days, describes how he was starved during his captivity. The moment of his release was particularly painful from the Gaza Strip, when he learned that his wife and daughters had died during the attacks on October 7, 2023.

The release and the painful loss

Eli Sharabi was released earlier this month along with Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy as part of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Sharabi, 52, said his captors did not tell him that his wife Lianne and daughters Noiya and Yahel were killed during the 2023 attack. He only found out about her fate after he was freed.

Emotional memories

In an emotional television interview broadcast on Israel's Channel 12 on Thursday, Sharabi recalled the moment he was taken by the Red Cross to an Israel Defense Forces post where psychologists and a family friend, a social worker, were waiting for him. “I said, ‘Bring me my wife and the girls,’” Sharabi recalled. “She said to me: ‘Osnat [his sister] and mom are waiting for you.’”

With a trembling voice, Sharabi added: "It was clear that there was no need to say it anymore. Because at that moment she had already told me. It is clear that the worst has happened."

"I really hope that they didn't feel any pain in their final moments. That everything happened quickly and wasn't painful. I hope they're in a good place," he added, his voice faltering.

The situation of the remaining hostages

Sharabi also gave insight into the fate of the remaining hostages, including his close friend Alon Ohel, with whom he shared a tunnel and formed an "unbreakable bond."

He reported that the hostages received only one meal per day - often a bowl of pasta or half a pita bread - which contained only 250-300 calories. “We cut the pita into four pieces and chewed one piece for 10 minutes as if it was enough,” Sharabi said, remembering dreaming about his mother’s cooking. "You dream of opening a refrigerator... taking an egg, a vegetable, water. That's freedom."

An urgent appeal

CNN reached out to Hamas after the Channel 12 interview. The group previously told CNN it "dealt with the prisoners in accordance with international law" and provided them with food "at a time when there was a famine in the Gaza Strip."

The Channel 12 interview ended with a strong plea from Sharabi: "People need to understand - every hostage is someone's child, parent or sibling. Don't forget them."

Ceasefire and hostage rescue

The ceasefire agreement resulted in the release of 38 hostages held by Hamas, five of whom were released regardless of the agreement, as well as thousands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel.

The first phase of the ceasefire is due to end this weekend, and negotiators still face the challenge of agreeing on next steps.