"It Was Very Tough, But I Love Life": Former Israeli Hostage Rebuilds Life After Family Killed by Hamas

Published: 03 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Eli Sharabi, a former Israeli hostage whose wife and two daughters were brutally killed in the Hamas attacks of 7 October, has shared a rare and deeply personal account of his ordeal, emphasizing both the pain of his loss and his determination to rebuild his life. Captured during one of the deadliest attacks on Israel in recent memory, Sharabi spent 491 harrowing days in captivity before his release in February 2025, only to discover that his wife, Lianne, and daughters, Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, had been executed shortly after his abduction. Despite the unimaginable grief, Sharabi is trying to maintain a sense of hope and positivity as he confronts the aftermath of his personal tragedy.

In his first in-depth interview since returning home, Sharabi recounted the morning of 7 October 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed Kibbutz Be’eri, a small Israeli community near the Gaza border. The attack claimed around 1,200 lives and left 251 people taken hostage. He vividly described the desperate moments his family spent hiding in a safe room before being confronted by armed militants. Though he tried to protect his wife and children, he was forcibly separated from them. “I understood it’s the moment I’ve probably been kidnapped. So, I just turned my head towards my girls and shouted ‘I’ll be back’ — and that was the last time I saw them,” he recalled.

Sharabi’s captivity began in a mosque in Gaza, where he was assaulted by Palestinian civilians and subjected to severe physical abuse. For much of the 16 months he was held, he remained tied with ropes and iron chains, enduring beatings that left him with broken ribs and breathing difficulties. He described periods of near-starvation, often surviving on a single meal a day consisting of minimal bread. In the cramped network of tunnels controlled by Hamas, conditions were squalid and inhumane, offering little sanitation and constant exposure to violence.

Yet, amid the suffering, Sharabi resolved to survive. He drew strength from the promise he had made to his daughters to return home. “I really, really believed from the first moment I will survive that,” he said. This determination sustained him through months of isolation, deprivation, and abuse, ultimately enabling his release through a high-profile hostage deal facilitated in part by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Even as he regained his freedom, the reality of his family’s death confronted him with new anguish. On the day of his release, the joy of liberation was quickly replaced by the news that Lianne, Noiya, and Yahel had been shot dead during his captivity. Sharabi described the moment he realized the worst had occurred: “I cried for a few minutes, and I said to myself ‘I can cry all day, but it will not help me to bring back Lianne, Noiya, and Yahel. And I need my family with me.’”

In the months since his return to Israel, Sharabi has demonstrated remarkable resilience. He has dedicated himself to advocating for the safe release of the remaining hostages still held by Hamas, numbering around 20, and has publicly expressed concern over the fragile peace process in Gaza. A 20-point plan proposed by President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to halt hostilities and secure the immediate release of hostages in exchange for detained Palestinians, though Hamas officials have indicated they may reject the proposal. Sharabi stresses the urgency of diplomatic efforts, warning that continued fighting directly endangers those still in captivity.

His reflections extend beyond personal grief to a broader moral perspective on the conflict. “War is awful, people are suffering from war, but we can’t forget who started that, and who’s the bad guy and who’s the good guy,” he said. Despite the loss and trauma, Sharabi is committed to advocating for peace and remaining engaged with the global effort to secure the freedom of hostages.

Sharabi’s story has also served as a powerful testimony to the human spirit’s resilience. He has undertaken a book project titled Hostage, recounting his experiences to ensure that the world understands the physical, psychological, and emotional toll of being held captive. His ordeal, marked by survival against extreme odds, has made him a symbol of perseverance and hope.

Even while carrying the weight of unimaginable loss, Sharabi refuses to let grief define him. He emphasized that the memory of his family accompanies him in every moment, not as a source of despair, but as a motivation to live fully and positively. “It was very tough, but I really, really love life… I’m trying to be positive. I’m working on that,” he said. Strangers in Israel recognize his courage, often approaching him to call him a hero, reflecting the public acknowledgment of both his suffering and his remarkable fortitude.

Sharabi’s experience highlights the human cost of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, shedding light on the plight of hostages, the devastating impact on families, and the persistent challenges to peace in the region. As he continues to rebuild his life, advocate for the remaining hostages, and navigate the complexities of grief and survival, Eli Sharabi embodies the enduring strength of those who have endured extreme adversity while maintaining hope for a safer, more just future.

The story of Eli Sharabi is not just one of personal tragedy; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring pursuit of peace amid chaos. His voice, emerging from the trauma of captivity and loss, serves as a powerful call for humanity, compassion, and the urgent need to protect innocent lives caught in the crossfire of conflict.