Hostage Release Brings Relief and Grief for Sharabi’s Family \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ As Eli Sharabi was released from captivity after 490 days, his in-laws in South Wales watched with mixed emotions. His wife, Lianne, and teenage daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were killed during the October 7 Hamas attack, leaving him to endure months of uncertainty in Gaza. His mother-in-law, Gillian Brisley, clutched a childhood teddy bear belonging to Lianne, finding comfort in its presence. While relieved for Eli’s return, the family grieves their loss and worries about his physical and emotional recovery after such trauma and captivity.
Eli Sharabi’s Release: Quick Looks
- Eli Sharabi freed after 490 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza, reuniting with his in-laws in South Wales.
- His wife, Lianne, and daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be’eri.
- Sharabi’s brother, Yossi, was also killed during the attack.
- Family was informed of his release just one day prior, after months of uncertainty.
- Sharabi appeared frail and emaciated, shocking his in-laws, who described his condition as resembling a concentration camp survivor.
- He only learned of his wife and daughters’ deaths after his release, adding to his emotional trauma.
- Gillian Brisley clutched Lianne’s childhood teddy bear while watching the release, using it as a symbol of connection to her lost daughter.
- The family struggles with mixed emotions, celebrating his freedom while mourning their irreparable loss.
Deep Look: Freed Hostage’s Return Sparks Relief and Grief for Family
A Long-Awaited Release
For 490 days, the Brisley family endured silence and uncertainty about the fate of their son-in-law, Eli Sharabi. On Saturday morning, that changed. The Clarkson Police Department informed them that Eli, 52, would be among the three hostages released that day.
His release brought mixed emotions—relief at seeing him free but shock at his frail condition. The man they once knew as strong and full of life now appeared pale, gaunt, and haunted by captivity.
“He looks as though he’s been to Belsen,” said Pete Brisley, referring to the Nazi concentration camp from World War II.
A Family Torn Apart
The Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, shattered the Sharabi family. Eli’s wife, Lianne, and their daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered, along with his brother, Yossi. Eli was taken hostage and held in Gaza for over a year, cut off from the world and unaware of his family’s fate.
Even as the Brisleys watched his release unfold on TV, their joy was overshadowed by deep sorrow.
“The emotion of seeing him also then brought the grief of losing our girls right up to our throats,” said Gillian Brisley. “We cried for our loss. We cried with relief that Eli was on his way home. We cried for Yossi. Just, you know, mixed emotions.”
Processing the Loss After Captivity
One of the hardest revelations was that Eli had no idea his wife and daughters had been killed. According to reports, he was informed only after his release, leaving him to process the devastating news while still recovering from captivity.
Stephen Brisley, Lianne’s brother, had hoped Eli had learned of their deaths while in Gaza. “We didn’t want him to have to grieve on top of everything else he’s been through,” he said.
A Teddy Bear, A Connection to the Past
As the Brisleys sat in their South Wales home watching Eli’s release, Gillian held a tattered teddy bear close to her chest—a cherished reminder of Lianne’s childhood.
The bear, once Lianne’s constant companion, had traveled with her from Wales to Israel, surviving decades of memories. When the Brisleys visited Kibbutz Be’eri, they found Lianne’s home in ruins—bullet holes marking the walls, dust and debris covering everything. But amidst the devastation, they recovered the teddy bear, a symbol of love and continuity.
Now, it serves as a source of comfort for Gillian.
“Mum has found it a great comfort to speak to Lianne’s bear,” said Stephen. “She speaks to it every morning and every evening as though she’s talking to Lianne.”
For a family that does not turn to religion for solace, the bear has become a tangible link to their lost loved ones.
Moving Forward After the Trauma
As Eli recovers from captivity, his family must also navigate their grief and rebuild their lives. The tragedy of October 7 forever altered their world, and though Eli has returned, he is not the same man who was taken.
For now, they hold onto the small comforts—a childhood teddy bear, a memory of happier times, and the hope that, despite their unimaginable loss, they can find a path forward together.
Hostage Release Brings Hostage Release Brings
