After being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for nearly 500 days, Eli Sharabi, along with two other male civilian hostages, was finally released. However, upon his return to Israel, he received the devastating news that his wife and daughters had been killed in the same attack that led to his capture.
The emotional handover ceremony took place in Deir al-Balah, where the three hostages were transferred to the Red Cross before being reunited with their families. The men appeared frail and gaunt, a stark contrast to the healthy appearance of the Hamas fighters and residents of Gaza.
It was revealed that another hostage, Or Levy, also returned home to tragedy as his wife had been killed during the same attack. Despite the hardships they endured during their captivity, the released hostages emphasized the need for continued efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives.
The Israeli government is working towards the release of all hostages as part of the ceasefire deal with Hamas. The second phase of the agreement is set to begin soon, with hopes of reuniting all remaining captives with their loved ones.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to bringing back all hostages while also emphasizing the need to address the ongoing control of Gaza by Hamas. The harrowing experiences of the released hostages serve as a reminder of the urgency to resolve the hostage situation and bring about a peaceful resolution in the region.