Freed Israeli hostage was unaware wife and daughters killed

An Israeli hostage freed from Gaza did not know his wife and daughters were killed in the 7 October attack until after his release on Saturday, his British family said.

Eli Sharabi was taken by Hamas 16 months ago and released on Saturday in Deir al-Balah, in Gaza.

His wife Lianne Sharabi, who was from Bristol, and daughters Noiya and Yahel were found murdered in their safe house ”cuddled together” in 2023.

Lianne’s parents Gill and Pete Brisley told the BBC that an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldier told Sharabi what happened to his family.

His relatives had been unsure whether Mr Sharabi knew that Lianne, Noiya and Yahel – Mr and Mrs Brisley’s daughter and grandchildren – were killed in the 7 October attack. He was one of three hostages handed to the Red Cross by Hamas in a choreographed release on Saturday as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire deal. Speaking on stage during his release, Sharabi said he was “very happy today to return to… my wife and daughters”, adding to concerns that he was unaware of what happened to them. Mr and Mrs Brisley said Sharabi was “lucid” and his “voice a bit husky” when they spoke later on a video call.