Eli Sharabi, a former Israeli hostage who was recently freed by Hamas, was unaware of the death of his wife and daughters until after he was released on Saturday, according to his British family. Lianne Sharabi, who was from Bristol, and their two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were found murdered in their safe house in 2023. There was initially uncertainty as to whether Mr Sharabi had been informed of their deaths, but his in-laws said on Sunday that an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldier broke the news to him. Sharabi had been held captive for 16 months before being released by Hamas in Gaza.
Sharabi was one of three hostages freed by Hamas as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire deal. During his release, Mr Sharabi spoke on stage and said he was “very happy today to return to my wife and daughters,” which caused concerns that he was unaware of what had happened to them. According to reports, Mr Sharabi was “lucid” and his “voice a bit husky” when his in-laws spoke to him over a video call.
The release of the three hostages comes under the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, which came into effect on 19 January. Israel has released 183 prisoners, and the ceasefire deal will result in 33 hostages being freed in exchange for 1,900 Palestinians in Israeli prisons. So far, 16 Israeli hostages have been freed, and 566 prisoners have been released since the ceasefire began.
Lianne grew up in Staple Hill, a town near Bristol, and relocated from Israel to the country permanently after moving there as a volunteer on a kibbutz. She and her husband Eli had two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, and Hamas’ attack on 7 October, which resulted in their deaths, triggered a war in which 1,200 people were killed. Sharabi’s brother Yossi was also taken hostage in the attack and was later killed in captivity, with Hamas blaming Israel for his death
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