JERUSALEM (VINnews) — They were three brothers -Sharon, Eli and Yossi. Eli and Yossi both went to live in Kibbutz Beeri 30 years ago, and both were abducted from the kibbutz on the fateful day of Oct. 7th. Yossi later died in captivity- apparently during an Israeli air strike or murdered by his captors. Eli lost his British-born wife Lian and two daughters Noya (16) and Yahel (13) in the brutal Hamas attack, but he didn’t know this until his release Saturday from captivity.
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איזה עוצמות יש במפגש הזה
עם הטלית, עם השמע ישראל של האח שלו
עד עכשיו זה החטוף שכנראה קיבל את הבשורות הכי קשות שיש
מאוד מקווה בשביל אלי שרעבי שהוא יצליח לקום מהאובדן והצער שהוא בטח נמצא בו
עם עוצמות כאלו במשפחה, מאמין שהוא יצליח
pic.twitter.com/1xd75pjHYX— gilad kachlon (@giladk007) February 8, 2025
The remnants of Eli’s family gathered on Saturday evening to meet their gaunt, malnourished, pale but living brother. Sharon was so overcome with emotion that he put on a Tallis and began saying Kriyas Shema as he hugged his remaining brother for the first time in 16 months. Then he and his parents had to break to Eli the heartbreaking news about his family, as Eli had requested to see his wife and children.
The family shared that upon hearing the sad news, Eli screamed and repeatedly said, “My heart is not at peace.” They added, “He received the news with shock; he had no idea this was what fate had in store for them.”
“Eli’s condition is not simple at all,” said a family member. “Beyond his physical state and malnutrition, he received the news about his wife and daughters from his siblings after they reunited, and now everything is completely different from a mental perspective. At this time, he is processing the hardest news he could have ever received. Right now, we’re giving him time with his mother and siblings, and tomorrow he will likely meet with the extended family, who will continue to support him.”
Family acquaintances emphasized that “despite all the pain and tragedy, Eli is determined and strong. He wants to recover and live.”
ה עוז לעמו יתן