Ex-captive Eli Sharabi calls on Trump to seize ‘window of opportunity’ to free the hostages

Released hostage Eli Sharabi reads an English-language statement addressed to US President Donald Trump, at a 2,000-strong rally on Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square.

Sharabi, who lost his brother, wife, and daughters in the Hamas onslaught of October 7, 2023, calls on Trump to seize the “window of opportunity” to bring back the remaining 50 hostages, including the remains of Sharabi’s brother Yossi.

“The window of opportunity to bring home all 50 hostages — living and dead — is open now and it won’t be for long,” he says.

“President Trump, being in those tunnels is hell. Thank you for bringing me — and so many others — back home,” says Sharabi. “We need your help now to bring back my brother Yossi and 49 other hostages. Your vision for a new Middle East is possible only when all hostages are back home.”

In Hebrew, Sharabi calls on Israeli decision-makers to show humility and end the war in Gaza in order to bring back the hostages.

“You were elected to serve this nation with humility,” he says. “Arrogance is what brought the disaster upon us, and we must not return to that pattern of behavior.”

“We can’t afford silence,” he says. “[We] have to end this fighting, for our brothers and sisters, the hostages, for this nation. True victory will be when they’re all back home.”