UPDATE: Eli Sharabi, recently released from Hamas captivity after 491 days, shared his harrowing experience during a sold-out event in Sydney, Australia, on October 31, 2023. The emotional interview with acclaimed journalist Nadav Eyal revealed heart-wrenching details about his abduction from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2022, and the devastating news of his family’s murder.
In a powerful moment, Sharabi recalled the last promise he made to his daughters, Noiya and Yahel. “I’ll come back,” he told them, a vow that sustained him through unimaginable suffering. As he was dragged from his home, he could only hope to fulfill that promise.
Sharabi described his arrival in Gaza alongside fellow hostage, Thai worker Kon, where they faced immediate violence. “A mob of civilians took me away,” he recounted. “They started to lynch me – men and children with bare hands and shoes.” Thankfully, he was rescued from the mob by Hamas terrorists and taken to a mosque for interrogation.
For the first 52 days of captivity, Sharabi and Kon were held by a Palestinian family, shackled with ropes and iron chains that “tore our flesh.” The majority of his ordeal was spent in a tunnel with fellow hostages, including Or Levy, Eliyah Cohen, and Alon Ohel. While Ohel remains captive, Sharabi mourns the loss of his brother, Yossi, whose body is still in Gaza.
Sharabi candidly shared the torture, starvation, and humiliation they endured. At one point, a terrorist deceived him into believing his family was safe, claiming they were at a rally for him. “I was thankful I was never told otherwise,” he said. “My promise to return kept me alive.”
Upon his release, Sharabi faced the moment every captive dreads. A social worker informed him that his mother and sister were waiting, but he asked for his wife and daughters instead. “Then of course you understand the worst thing that happened,” he said, reflecting on an unimaginable loss.
Despite the profound grief, Sharabi expressed determination to rebuild his life. “I remember Lianne, Noiya, Yahel every day until my last day,” he stated. “But it will be alongside my life, not instead of my life. And I’m sure I’m going to rebuild my life.”
The event also showcased Hagit Yaso, a singer who survived the initial attack on October 7 by hiding in bushes. Her story of survival added to the emotional weight of the evening.
To support the ongoing efforts of the Jewish National Fund, donations can be made at jnf.org.au. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the world watches Eli Sharabi’s journey of resilience and recovery.
