**Concern in the UK as Freed Hostage Eli Sharabi's Condition Raises Alarm**

Eli Sharabi was freed after 16 months in captivity, revealing a painful family ordeal amidst ongoing conflict and its consequences.

The family of Eli Sharabi, an Israeli hostage released from Gaza on Saturday, articulated a complex mix of relief and concern as they processed his return home after 16 months of captivity. Sharabi, aged 52, was captured by Hamas during an attack on Kibbutz Beeri on October 7, when his British-born wife Lianne and their two teenage daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were tragically killed.

His brother-in-law, Steve Brisley, spoke about the emotions felt following the hostage's release, saying, "It's the end of one part of the nightmare... but the beginning of the next chapter." Although relieved to learn of Eli's survival after a long and agonizing wait, Brisley expressed deep concern over Sharabi's physical condition, stating he appeared "gaunt" and suggesting that there was "the light gone from his eyes."

This emotional rollercoaster intensified when Eli was seen being handed over to representatives of the Red Cross by Hamas in a stylized display, which Brisley described as a "propaganda fashion" that felt distressing. In an official statement, the family expressed their happiness at his release but minced no words regarding their horror at his frail appearance and the "grotesque spectacle" surrounding the event.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) echoed these sentiments, calling for more humane and private conditions in any future hostage releases. They emphasized the need for respect for the dignity of individuals involved in these situations.

Despite Eli being listed among those expected to be freed, uncertainty about his awareness of the tragedy that befell his family lingered. Pete Brisley, Eli's father-in-law, pointed out that there were no witnesses to the attack, leaving them unsure if he knew of his family’s fate. "It's just very emotional here," he remarked, reflecting the family's struggle to reconcile joy at Eli's freedom with heartache at the loss of Lianne, Noiya, and Yahel.

Following the deal between Israel and Hamas, which has facilitated a series of hostage releases, Eli Sharabi represents one among numerous stories of suffering amid an enduring conflict. While 16 hostages have been freed thus far, there is a continued human cost to the situation, with thousands of lives affected on both sides. In the broader context of the Gaza conflict, the ongoing actions of both sides have resulted in significant loss of life and destruction.

In response to Eli's release, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy welcomed the development but urged that the ceasefire agreement be comprehensively upheld, including the release of remaining hostages. As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of violence, the unresolved fate of many remains a stark reminder of the intricate web of grief and hope amidst uncertainty.