The released hostage learned about the death of his wife and girls after over 16 months

Eli Szarabi, an Israeli freed by Hamas from captivity as part of the fifth round of replacing hostages for prisoners, only after liberation he learned that his wife and two daughters were killed in the attack on October 7, 2023 – BBC said, citing a man's family.

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Eli Szarabi was captured by Hamas 16 months ago and Released on Saturday at Deir Al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. Together with him, during a specific ceremony, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Lewi were released. In return, 183 Palestinians were released from the prisoner.

Masked and armed fighters introduced them to the stage, where they were forced to give propaganda speeches and pose for photos with Hamas representatives. Clearly emaciated hostages were dressed in uniforms reminiscent of prisoners' clothes, they also kept “certificates” confirming their release.

– I am very happy today that I am coming back to my wife and daughters – Ela Szarabi said on the stage, adding that he is not sure what happened to them. He only learned about the tragic fate of a woman and two teenagers from an Israeli soldier.

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Shaba spoke remotely on the day of Hamas released him with his in -laws, from Great Britain Gill and Pet Brisley. The marriage previously watched his release during live broadcasts. – I sat, hugging the Lianne teddy bear (killed daughter – ed.). I think I wet him (tears – ed.). We remembered what we lost, ”Gill Brisley reported in an interview with the BBC.

– The only thing that keeps us alive is the fact that we know that Eli has returned. At least one member of our very close family is still alive – said Szaraby's mother -in -law. – We are grateful to him for our two beautiful granddaughters (though – ed.) We didn't have long enough. Now we have to focus on all happy moments – she added.

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As BBC writes, the wife of the released hostage, Lianne, grew up on the outskirts of Brystol. At the age of 19 she moved to Israel as a volunteer. After only three months in Israel she met Eli. They had two daughters: Noiya and Yahel. When they died, they were 16 and 13 years old. The bodies of teenagers and their mothers were found in their hideout. At the time of death, they hugged each other.

Yossi, Eli's brother, was also taken as hostage on October 7, 2023, but later he was killed in captivity. Hamas said that his death was the result of an Israeli air attack, which the Israeli authorities considered probable.

Another hostage released on Saturday, or Lewi, learned after he was released that his wife died at the hands of Hamas during the attack in which he was kidnapped. – For 491 days he kept the hope that he would come back to her. For 491 days he did not know that she was already dead – the man's brother, Michael, told reporters.

56-year-old Ben Ami and 52-year-old Grayabs were kidnapped from Kibbutu Beeri lying at the border with the Gaza Gaza Strip, in which Hamas fighters killed over 130 people on October 7, 2023 and destroyed the settlement. Ben Ami was kidnapped with his wife, who was released during a short truce in November 2023. 34-year-old Lewi was abducted from the Supernova Music Festival, held at Kibbutu Kibbuc Reim at the border with the Gaza Strip.

Under the first phase of the weapon suspension, which will last until the beginning of March, a total of 33 hostages imprisoned on October 7, 2023 will be released. In return, 1900 Palestinians are to be released from Israeli prisons.

Until now, 18 hostages and 583 prisoners have been released in four exchange.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas captured 251 hostages and killed about 1,200 people in an attack on Israel, leading to an outbreak of a devastating war.