Gaza ceasefire deal: 'We don't know if he's alive' say family

A Welsh relative of an Israeli hostage has said they are still unsure if he is alive, despite Hamas being set to release him. The hostage, named Eli Sharabi, was kidnapped in the October 7, 2023 attacks, during which his wife and two daughters were killed.

Mr. Sharabi's name is on the list of 33 hostages due to be released in the next phase of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the 15-month war in Gaza. However, the list does not guarantee he is still alive, as 34 of the 91 hostages held by Hamas are presumed dead.

Steve Brisley, from Pencoed in Bridgend, who has been campaigning for his brother-in-law, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the family were still waiting for news. He said: "We know Eli's name is on the list of 33, but being on the list doesn't necessarily mean they are alive. So, it's only when it's his turn to come out that we'll know if Eli has survived. We might know within 24 hours if Eli has survived his ordeal. We know the general framework is women and children first."

The first three hostages were released on Sunday after 471 days in captivity, as part of the long-awaited but fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which also saw 90 Palestinian prisoners released. Mr. Brisley said it was a "bittersweet" moment but that he was very happy to see other hostages released, as he has formed bonds with other families of those kidnapped. He said: "For us, the next best thing to Eli being released is the other hostages being released. It's certainly bittersweet, it's been a rollercoaster of a week and the next few weeks are going to be tough."

Mr. Brisley's sister, Lianne (a British citizen), and his teenage nieces, Noiya and Yahel, were killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on southern Israel, which saw around 1,200 people killed and 251 others kidnapped. He said: "It brings back the memories of that day and the horrors of that attack. So, it's certainly stirred emotions, the grief and bereavement mixed with the possibility of seeing Eli again."

According to outgoing US President Joe Biden, another four Israeli hostages are expected to be released this week, followed by three hostages every seven days after that. Meanwhile, Hamas has said that for every Israeli hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails. Egypt, one of the mediators, said this weekend that 1,890 prisoners would be released in the first phase.