From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Ex-hostage Eli Sharabi honored as book recounting his captivity becomes a bestseller
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Former hostage Eli Sharabi is honored with a Platinum Award for his bestselling book, “Kidnapped,” which sold more than 70,000 copies in its first five days, making it a bestseller in the Israeli market.
“I didn’t believe there would still be hostages when the book was released,” says Sharabi at a ceremony for the award.
“Kidnapped” was published by Rotem Sela in May.
Sharabi says he hoped the book would be a memory from the past when he wrote it. It is the first testimonial book written by a released hostage after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack.
“Even 173 days after I was released from captivity — they’re still there,” says Sharabi, referring to the remaining hostages. “Every day I think about them — what they eat, how they survive, how they deal with the constant hunger. We must not get used to this situation. We must not pretend that life goes on while they are not here.”
Sharabi said he hopes the upcoming English translation of the book, being published by HarperCollins in the US ahead of the second anniversary of October 7, will help Americans understand the reality of the hostages.
The Times of Israel Community.