After 491 days, Eli Sharabi from Kibbutz Be’eri released from Hamas captivity
His wife and daughters were murdered during Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas rampage; his brother Yossi was abducted and declared dead on Jan. 16, 2024; Eli freed on Feb. 8, 2025
On February 8, 2025, Eli Sharabi, 52, was released from captivity in Gaza as part of phase one of a mediated ceasefire-hostage release deal. He was handed over to the Red Cross, who delivered him to IDF soldiers who escorted him into Israel. Below is what we initially knew of his capture:
Eli Sharabi, 51 (now 52), from Kibbutz Be’eri has been missing since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked, killing, burning and abducting those who lived in the kibbutz.
On October 7, Sharabi’s brother, Yossi Sharabi, 53, also a resident of Be’eri, was seen being taken by Hamas on a pickup truck, along with Ofir Engel, 18, a Jerusalem resident who was visiting the family for the weekend, and a neighbor Amit Shani, 16.
Hamas also broke into his brother Eli Sharabi’s home, shouting in Arabic and laughing loudly, according to text messages between other family members with Eli, his wife Lianne and their daughters, Noiya, 16 and Yahel 13.
The terrorists shot the family dog, then took the family hostage in their safe room and set fire to the house.
Eli Sharabi’s family was at first considered missing until the bodies of Lianne, Noiya and Yahel were identified more than a week later.
There has been no sighting of Eli Sharabi on social media or in photos and videos posted by Hamas.
“My job is to bring my brothers home,” said Sharon Sharabi, a surviving brother.
Ofir Engel, 18, and Amit Shani, 16, were released on November 29, 2023, as part of a temporary ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar and the United States between Hamas and Israel.
