Eli Sharabi, a former resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, endured 491 days in captivity after being taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. Released on February 8, 2025, Sharabi’s emaciated appearance—he had lost 30 kilograms and weighed just 44 kilograms upon release—left a lasting impression on the Israeli public. His ordeal unfolded amid the loss of his wife, Lianne, 48, and their daughters, Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, who were killed by Hamas militants during the initial attack on Kibbutz Be’eri.

Following his release, Sharabi emerged as a prominent advocate for the hostages still held in Gaza. He has addressed international forums, including the United Nations Security Council, shared his experiences in interviews, and authored a memoir, *Hostage*, which has become an international bestseller.

Now 54, Sharabi has regained his health and has reengaged with initiatives aimed at building hope and resilience. During a meeting at the Jerusalem headquarters of Shalva—the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities—Sharabi reflected on his connection to the organization. Shalva, founded in 1990 by Kalman and Malki Samuels, offers therapy, education, rehabilitation, and family support for individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusion from infancy through adulthood.

Sharabi’s ties to Shalva are rooted in personal experiences. His wife had volunteered with children with special needs in England, and their eldest daughter, Noiya, followed in her footsteps. Both Noiya and Yahel had close relationships with a child with special needs who lived on their kibbutz. In 2017, while serving as business manager of Kibbutz Be’eri, Sharabi attended a convention at Shalva’s campus and was deeply impressed by its work. He had planned to bring his family to visit, but the attack and subsequent captivity prevented that.

During his time underground in Hamas’s tunnels, Sharabi grappled with the uncertainty surrounding his family’s fate. Reflecting on his loss, he expressed that if his wife and daughters did not survive, he would honor their memory through his connection with Shalva, an organization that had come to symbolize hope and support to him.

Sharabi’s story highlights both the personal tragedy stemming from the conflict and the efforts by individuals and organizations alike to foster healing and inclusion in its aftermath.