Ex-hostage Eli Sharabi’s autobiography sets Israeli record for fastest-selling book
Former captive’s ‘Hostage’ sold 20,000 copies in five days; ‘I wrote it to show it doesn’t matter what cards life deals you, you can make the choice to live,’ he says
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Released hostage Eli Sharabi was honored in an online ceremony on Monday with the Golden Book Award, after breaking the Israeli record for the fastest-selling book with his recent autobiography, “Hostage.”
Sharabi, who was released from Hamas captivity four months ago, recounted being held captive for months with Alon Ohel, Eliya Cohen and Or Levy. They taught Cohen to speak and read English during that time, he said, by reading the only book they had, a novel by American author Leigh Bardugo.
“We taught Eliya English and he read the book a few times. He learned English in captivity,” Sharabi said. “It shows how much our survival mattered to us.”
Sharabi, 52, was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas onslaught. His wife Lianne and daughters Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, were murdered. His brother Yossi was also kidnapped and murdered by his captors, who still hold his body.
After being held in Hamas captivity for 491 days, Sharabi was released on February 8, 2025, as part of a temporary ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
“Hostage,” published by Sella Meir Publishing House, was written over a period of two months and is the first memoir published by a released hostage. Sharabi said he wrote the book quickly in order to tell his story, and in the hopes that it would help those still held hostage.
“I wrote it to show it doesn’t matter what cards life deals you, it is in your hands. You can make the choice to live and how to live,” Sharabi said, speaking from London, where he and his brother Sharon have been stranded since their flight home to Israel was diverted due to the recent conflict with Iran.
Sharabi said he wrote the book to describe the experience of captivity, so readers would understand what he and other hostages experienced and what is still happening to hostages still in Hamas captivity. That includes Alon Ohel, 23, who was left behind when his three cellmates were released.
“I can’t stop thinking about them and working for them so that they come home. And they will,” Sharabi said.
Sharabi thanked the Israeli public for reading the book, which sold 20,000 copies in five days, and which is to be translated into other languages in order to reach as wide a readership as possible.
“Books, more than films, TV series or plays, are able to relate the true circumstances of a situation,” Sharabi said.
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian terror group Hamas led over 5,000 terrorists to invade southern Israel in an attack that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Terrorists also abducted 251 people as hostages to the Gaza Strip, where 50 are still held.
Spillover from the ensuing war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas led to direct confrontation between Israel and the terror group’s sponsor, Iran.
Israel, on June 13, launched a sweeping assault on Iran’s top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites, and ballistic missile program, saying it is necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from realizing its avowed plan to destroy the Jewish state. Iran responded by firing barrages of missiles at Israeli cities, killing dozens and injuring thousands.
Amid the rocket fire, the IDF Home Front Command prohibited public gatherings, which led to the cancellation of Hebrew Book Week events, which began last week and during which Sharabi was to have been presented with his award in person.
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