A former Israeli hostage whose wife and children were killed by Hamas in the 7 October attacks has said he is trying to be positive after his release earlier this year.
In a rare interview, Eli Sharabi, who became one of the most high profile of those taken when gunmen stormed into Israel, was reflecting on discovering, after his release, that his family had been killed.
He expressed concern that the latest peace plan to end fighting between Israel and Hamas could fall through and said the lives of the remaining hostages were being put at risk by the continued Israel-Gaza war.
Mr. Sharabi told his former captors, Hamas, to sign the deal for their people…and the Middle East... War is wrong and awful for both sides.
We have to keep hope that there will be an agreement, he added.
The 20-point peace plan, agreed by US President Donald Trump, and Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, proposes an immediate end to fighting and the release within 72 hours of all hostages, in exchange for hundreds of detained Gazans and Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Hamas officials have indicated they will reject it.
Hamas still holds the body of Mr. Sharabi's brother Yossi, who he is desperate to return home for a burial, as well as his friend, 24-year-old Alon Ohel, who was held with him in tunnels deep beneath Gaza.
Having spent 491 days in captivity, Mr. Sharabi discovered only on the day of his release that his wife Lianne, and daughters, 16-year-old Noiya and 13-year-old Yahel, were no longer alive - shot dead after he was taken.
When they were not there to greet him on his return to Israel, he broke down as he realized the worst scenario happened.
About 1,200 people in Israel were killed on 7 October when Hamas gunmen stormed through the border, while 251 others were taken hostage.
As the second anniversary approaches, Mr. Sharabi has told BBC News about his ordeal and what is motivating him to rebuild his life.
In central Israel as the sun sets, Mr. Sharabi stands looking out at the calm Mediterranean Sea, feeling a freedom that was distant earlier this year as he fought starvation, abuse, and violence.
The day of his abduction began when the Sharabi family hid for hours in their safe room in Kibbutz Be'eri. As Hamas gunmen burst in and shots rang out, Eli and Lianne threw themselves on their daughters, claiming they had British passports. However, they were unable to save them.
His captivity was characterized by violence and starvation, recalling incidents of abuse at the hands of his captors, including being beaten and deprived of basic needs.
When the day of his release finally arrived, Mr. Sharabi was paraded by Hamas in a ceremony that felt celebratory, yet only masked the grief he would soon confront when he learned of his family's fate.
Despite the weight of his trauma, he has actively campaigned for the release of remaining hostages, meeting influential leaders like President Trump. His resilience is a testament to his commitment to honor his family's memory by advocating for peace and supporting other families affected by the conflict.
While grappling with loss, he remains determined to cherish life and hopes to inspire others through his story.
