**Hamas Prisoner Reunited with Family**
A man who was held captive by Hamas for 490 days has been reunited with his family. Eli Sharabi, 52, was released on February 8 after being taken from Kibbutz Berei in October 2023.
**Tragic Loss**
During his captivity, Mr. Sharabi’s wife Lianne and two teenage daughters Noiya and Yahel were killed at their home. Their brother-in-law Steve Brisley has been campaigning for their release for over a year.
**Reunion**
When Mr. Sharabi was finally freed, he met his brother-in-law Steve Brisley for the first time in 18 months. Mr. Brisley said it was an emotional and intense reunion, but also cathartic.
“He wasn’t recognisable,” said Mr. Brisley. “All four of our voices were asking, ‘Is that Eli? He was so gaunt and emaciated.’ The darkening of his eyes was the most distressing for us.”
**Memory of Lianne and the Girls**
Mr. Sharabi told the family that his wife and daughters had survived when he was removed from the house. However, they were later killed.
“We will never be able to know what exactly happened, what went awry for them to die,” said Mr. Brisley.
The family has been working to come to terms with their loss. Steve Brisley visited the site of the Nova festival and the Sharabi home, which was “cold, dark and devoid of love and laughter”.
“I sat down on the floor and cried,” he said.
**Looking to the Future**
Despite their tragedy, Mr. Sharabi is looking to the future. He has spoken about wanting to continue and see a future for himself.
The trip to Israel allowed Steve Brisley “to process the loss of Lianne, and the girls”, as he stated “it was difficult to fully engage in our grief while Eli was still held captive”.