Freed hostage Eli Sharabi spoke at the March of the Living that took place at Auschwitz-Birkenau on Holocaust Remeberance Day on Thursday, underscoring the resilience of the Jewish spirit throughout history, until present day.
Sharabi was held in Hamas captivity after he was kidnapped during the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023. He was released during the Israel-Hamas ceasefire-hostage deal in January.
Sharabi began by expressing that the atrocities of the Holocaust "were not similar to any genocide of any nation in world history," adding, " We will not forgive and we will not forget."
Sharabi then addressed the various survivors, beraved family members, and former hostages who were victims of the October 7 attacks and also took part in the March of the Living.
"This is the Jewish spirit of triumph," Sharabi said. "It's a reminder that the Jewish nation will exist for all eternity."
"העם היהודי יהיה קיים לנצח נצחים": צפו בנאום המרגש של אלי שרעבי על אדמת פולין@DaphnaLiel pic.twitter.com/mMggOSRgaq
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) April 24, 2025
"The Jewish nation and Israel, specifically, sanctifies life, not death," Sharabi stressed. "We hope to see the rest of the 56 hostages that remain in Gaza today back in Israel."
"Like I said, we are the spirit of triumph," Sharabi said as he concluded his statements.
Who is Sharabi?
Sharabi's wife Leanne and their two daughters Noya and Yahel were murdered on October 7.
Sharabi’s brother Yossi was also taken hostage, and an IDF probe found he was possibly killed in Hamas captivity, likely by an IAF airstrike in January 2024. Yossi had a wife, Nira, and three daughters: Yuval, Ofir, and Oren, all of whom survived.
Following his release from captivity, Sharabi detailed his expeirances being held in captivity, describing the torture and stravation he endured.
“You’re 50 meters underground. The sanitary conditions are simply terrible. You shower once a month with a bottle of water, maybe half a bucket of cold water. The chains on my legs never left me from the day I arrived in Gaza until the last day. Some people were shackled only part of the time—I was chained for a year and four months, with thick, heavy locks that tore into my flesh,” he recounted during the Channel 12 interview.
Sharabi has been actively speaking out for the remaining hostages still held in Hamas captivity.
In March, Sharabi delivered his testimony at the UN Security Council. He also met with US President Donald Trump in a delegation of freed hostages, which included Doron Steinbrecher, Naama Levy, Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, and Keith and Aviva Siegel.
