Introduction
This week, we welcomed Eli Sharabi, a 53-year-old Israeli man who lived with love for his wife and two teenage daughters in Be’eri, a village near the Gaza border. On October 7th, his life changed drastically when his wife and daughters were brutally murdered, leaving him to face unimaginable hardship.
Background on Eli Sharabi
Eli Sharabi, a resident of Be’eri, was living a peaceful life with his family until the tragic events of October 7th. His wife and daughters were killed, leaving Eli to endure unspeakable horrors. Despite the immense loss, Eli remains resilient and hopeful.
The Impact of Eli’s Story
Even seasoned diplomats, who have heard countless tragic stories from that fateful day, were moved to tears as Eli recounted his year-and-a-half ordeal. His story serves as a stark reminder that 58 Israelis remain in similarly dire conditions, unparalleled anywhere else on Earth.
Eli’s Captivity Experience
Initial Abduction and Treatment
Eli was abducted from his home and held in a confined apartment, with his hands bound behind his back and feet tightly restrained with ropes. The pain from the ropes caused excruciating discomfort, and he would lose consciousness for two to three hours each day due to the agony.
Transfer to a Subterranean Tunnel
After a month and a half, Eli was moved to an underground tunnel where other Israeli captives were held. They shared a single goal: survival. Eventually, three severely injured captives were taken to another location, which Eli mistakenly believed was for medical treatment in Israel. Instead, they were executed.
Life in the Tunnel
Eli spent time in a tunnel 50 meters underground, enduring harsh conditions. He bathed once a month using a bottle or a bowl of water, and his legs were permanently shackled with heavy chains, causing constant pain. He was fed sporadically, sometimes only a plate of pasta or a single slice of bread per day.
Violence and Hunger
Eli’s captors occasionally beat him, breaking his ribs. After these violent episodes, he suffered intense pain for weeks and struggled to breathe. The hunger was relentless, with occasional crumbs of food offering little relief.
Eli’s Perspective on Hamas
Despite his harrowing experiences, Eli remains focused on freeing other captives. He shared that the Hamas members holding him believed their cause was more important than the well-being of their own people, as they strived to inflict maximum damage on Israel.
Call for Action
Urgent Need to Free Captives
As Eli endured unimaginable hardships, others remain trapped underground, desperately clinging to life. It is crucial to secure their release immediately.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Eli Sharabi? Eli Sharabi is a 53-year-old Israeli man who survived captivity after his family was killed in the October 7th attacks.
- What conditions did Eli face during captivity? Eli endured brutal treatment, including physical abuse, starvation, and prolonged confinement in a subterranean tunnel.
- What is Eli’s current focus? Despite his own suffering, Eli remains dedicated to securing the release of other captives held by Hamas.
- Why is immediate action needed to free captives? Many individuals remain in dire circumstances, enduring unimaginable hardships underground.
