The British family of Eli Sharabi, who remains a hostage held by Hamas, are pleading with Israeli authorities to let them be the ones to break the tragic news that his wife and daughters have perished. Bristol-born Lianne, 48, and their two daughters Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, died in the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel.
Mr Sharabi, 52, is expected to be released soon but is likely unaware of the devastating loss of his British wife Lianne and their girls, Lianne’s brother Stephen Brisley told the Daily Mirror. He does not want Mr Sharabi to hear the news from an Israeli soldier or officer.
From Bridgend, South Wales, Mr Brisley expressed: “I think the prospect of getting back to Lianne and the girls is what’s kept him going.
“When he finds out they’re not alive, that could finish and crush him.
“I want to reassure him we will always be here, and we will do whatever he needs to help him recover. That’s [if] Eli is alive.”
On 7 October 2023, Hamas-led militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals and taking 251 captive. After clearing militants from its territory, Israel launched a destructive bombing campaign and invaded Gaza on 27 October with the stated objectives of destroying Hamas and freeing hostages.
Hostages began to be handed back on the weekend as part of the ceasefire deal.