Former Hostage Sharabi Pleads with UN Security Council: "Bring Them All Home"
In a profoundly moving address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), former Hamas hostage Eli Sharabi recounted his harrowing experiences and implored the international community to secure the immediate release of all remaining captives held in Gaza. Just weeks after his own liberation, Sharabi has become a fervent advocate for the hostages, engaging with global leaders to raise awareness about their desperate situation.
Sharabi’s testimony painted a grim picture of the atrocities committed by Hamas and the dire conditions endured by those held captive. He began by describing the events of October 7, when Hamas terrorists stormed Kibbutz Be’eri, turning his world upside down. "On Oct. 7, my heaven turned to hell," Sharabi stated, recounting how he was forcibly separated from his family amidst the chaos and violence.
Kibbutz Be’eri suffered immensely during the October 7 massacre, with over 100 residents killed and 30 taken hostage, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Tragically, Sharabi’s wife and two daughters were among those murdered. He only learned of their fate upon his return from Gaza, a revelation that compounded his own suffering.
"Then I arrived home. They told me my mother and sister were waiting for me. I said, ‘Get me my wife and daughters.’ And that was when I knew. They were gone. They had been murdered," Sharabi told the council, his voice heavy with grief. He also learned that his brother, Yossi, who had also been taken hostage, had been killed while in captivity, his body still held in Gaza.
Sharabi’s own ordeal lasted 491 days. His release on February 8, alongside Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami, drew international attention to the physical toll inflicted on the hostages. Images of the emaciated men prompted widespread condemnation, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog describing their condition as "a crime against humanity." Former President Donald Trump likened them to "Holocaust survivors" and expressed shock at their "horrible condition."
Addressing the council, Sharabi revealed that he weighed a mere 44 kilograms (97 pounds) upon his return to Israel. He spoke of the constant hunger, the physical abuse, and the psychological torment he endured. "I was only given a pita a day and would be forced to beg for extra food," he testified, highlighting the deliberate deprivation inflicted by his captors.
Sharabi then delivered a scathing indictment of Hamas’s exploitation of humanitarian aid. "I know that you discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza very often. But let me tell you, as an eyewitness, I saw what happened to that aid. Hamas stole it," he declared. He recounted witnessing Hamas terrorists transporting boxes bearing U.N. and UNRWA emblems into tunnels, emphasizing that these supplies, funded by international governments, were being used to sustain the very individuals who had tortured him and murdered his family.
Sharabi further asserted that Hamas routinely ate in front of the hostages, deliberately denying them food and exacerbating their suffering. "When you speak of humanitarian aid, remember this: Hamas eats like kings while hostages starve. Hamas steals from civilians. Hamas blocks aid from reaching those who truly need it," he stated, urging the council to recognize the stark reality of the situation.
Sharabi also criticized the U.N., the Red Cross, and the broader international community for their perceived silence and inaction. "Where was the United Nations? Where was the Red Cross? Where was the world?" he asked, his voice filled with frustration and disappointment.
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon echoed Sharabi’s concerns, accusing the Security Council of "erasing the hostages" and failing to acknowledge "the humanitarian crimes Hamas is deliberately inflicting on the hostages." Danon went on to condemn the "entire U.N. system" for allegedly abandoning its responsibility to the hostages, asserting that the conflict would not end until they were all safely returned home.
Sharabi concluded his address with a passionate plea. "Bring them all home. No more excuses. No more delays. If you stand for humanity — prove it. Bring them home," he urged, his words resonating with the urgency and desperation felt by the families of those still held captive. His testimony served as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the imperative for the international community to act decisively to secure the release of the remaining hostages. His personal story of loss, survival, and unwavering determination underscores the urgent need for a resolution to this ongoing humanitarian crisis. The world watches and waits, hoping that his plea will be heard and that the remaining hostages will soon be reunited with their loved ones. The weight of their fate rests on the shoulders of the international community, and their actions will determine whether Sharabi’s call for humanity prevails.
