Surviving Trauma: Former Hostage Eli Sharabi Reflects on Loss and Hope

Sun Oct 12 2025 22:23:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Eli Sharabi, a former hostage and victim of the October 7 Hamas attacks, opens up about his harrowing experience, the loss of his family, and his hopes for peace in the ongoing conflict.

In a heartfelt interview, Eli Sharabi shares the traumatic experience of being taken hostage by Hamas, the devastating news of his family's death, and his ongoing campaign for peace and the release of remaining hostages. As the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks approaches, he expresses both concern and hope regarding a new peace plan aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite his losses, Sharabi emphasizes the importance of resilience and love for life.

A former Israeli hostage whose British-Israeli wife and children were killed by Hamas in the 7 October attacks, Eli Sharabi, states he is very worried that the latest peace plan to end fighting between Israel and Hamas will fail.

In a rare interview, Sharabi, who became one of the most prominent hostages during the two-year-long conflict, emphasized that the ongoing violence endangers the lives of the 20 remaining hostages. He urged US President Donald Trump to use his influence to facilitate the release of all hostages, including those who have tragically died, and condemned continued warfare.

War is wrong and awful for both sides, Sharabi said, calling for Hamas to sign the 20-point peace plan agreed upon by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which proposes an immediate end to fighting in exchange for the release of hostages.

Despite the challenges ahead, he remains hopeful, emphasizing the need to keep faith in the potential for a resolution. As someone who spent 491 days in brutal captivity, Sharabi recounted learning of his family's tragic deaths just as he regained his freedom — a moment that shattered him but also ignited his unwavering resolve to advocate for others still trapped.

Reflecting on his time as a hostage, Sharabi described the torture and starvation he endured, stating, It's scary. It's humiliating when freedom is taken away from you, but also highlighted the promise he made to his daughters that he would return to them, a promise that fueled his will to survive.

Sharabi, who has become a prominent advocate for peace and the return of hostages, expressed deep concern about the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza, reiterating a desire to resolve the conflict and prioritize human lives.

As he stands by the calm Mediterranean Sea, the former hostage conveys a love for life despite the unending pain from his loss, stating, It was very tough, but I really, really love life... I'm trying to be positive, showcasing his resilience in the face of harrowing adversity.