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April 4–10, 2025 • Vayikra • 6 Nisan 5785 • Vol. 24, No. 12
‘My name is Eli Sharabi. I am not a diplomat. I am a surivor.’ ‘I’m here before you now to give my testimony and to ask: Where was the United Nations? Where was the Red Cross? Where was the world? ‘491 days. That is how long I starved, how long I was chained, how long I begged for humanity. And in all that time, no one came. ‘Now, I’m here before you at the United Nations to say: Bring them all home. ‘No more excuses. No more delays. If you stand for humanity, prove it. Bring them home.’
Eli Sharabi shares testimony of his captivity in Gaza at the UN Security Council on March 20.
In a 19-minute address to a hushed session of the United Nations Security Council, freed Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi recounted the murder of his wife and daughters and his harrowing 491 days of captivity in Hamas tunnels in Gaza where he endured physical and psychological abuse and starvation. “I cannot begin to describe the agony. It was hell,” he said. Sharabi criticized the UN and the Red Cross for their inaction. “491 days. …In all that time, no one came,” he said. “I know that you’ve discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza very often,” he continued. “But let me tell you, as an eyewitness, I saw what happened to that aid: Hamas stole it.” He emphasized the urgent need to secure the release of remaining hostages. This is the text of his address. y name is Eli Sharabi. I am 53 years old. I’ve come back from hell. I’ve returned to tell my story.
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I used to live in Kibbutz Be’eri with my British-born wife, Lianne, and my daughters, Noiya and Yahel. It was a beautiful community. We were all passionate about creating the best life for our children and for our neighbors. At 16, I left Tel Aviv for Be’eri seeking a peaceful home, away from the concrete city. I found a loving community and knew I would raise my family there. Many asked why we lived near Gaza, but to me, Be’eri was heaven. Lianne came from Bristol, UK, as a volunteer. She was meant to stay a few months, but she met me and we fell in love. We were married for 23 years and had two wonderful daughters and a dog, Mocha. [Sharabi holds up a picture of his family.] On October 7, my heaven turned to hell. Sirens began. Hamas terrorists invaded. And I was ripped away from my family, never to see them again. For 491 days, I was kept mostly
Perry Bindelglass, Israeli UN mission
underground in Hamas terror tunnels — chained, starved, beaten, and humiliated. I was held captive in the darkness, isolated from the world by Hamas terrorists. They took pleasure in our suffering. I survived on scraps of food with no medical attention and no mercy. When I was released, I weighed just 44 kilos [97 pounds]. I had lost over 30 kilos, nearly half my body weight. For 491 days, I held on to hope. I imagined the life we would rebuild. I dreamt of seeing my family again. Only when I returned home, I learned the truth. My wife and my daughters had been slaughtered by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
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’m here today, less than six weeks after my release, to speak for those still trapped in that nightmare. •For my brother Yossi, murdered in Hamas captivity, his body still held hostage. See Stand for humanity on page 2