**Israeli Hostage Released After 15 Months in Captivity**
Steve Sharabi, an Israeli hostage, was released from captivity on Saturday. His family and friends have been waiting for news of his safety for months.
Pete Brisley, a relative of Steve’s wife and daughters, said he felt “the full pendulum of feelings” – relief, joy, heartache, and more. He saw Mr. Sharabi being paraded in a propaganda manner just minutes after being released by the Red Cross.
“This is what we’ve been working towards for 15-16 months,” Brisley said on BBC Breakfast. “But to see his physical state… he’s gaunt, thin, and the light has gone out of his eyes.”
The family had not heard from Steve since the 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
“We don’t know if he’s aware that his family has died,” Brisley said. “Nobody knows what he went through in those 15 months.”
Steve’s mother and sister are waiting to greet him at the hospital, where they will learn more about his time in captivity.
**Background on the Conflict**
Hamas took 251 hostages during their attack on Israel in October 2023. Over 1,200 people were killed, and thousands of buildings were damaged or destroyed. The conflict has had a devastating impact on Gaza’s population, with at least 47,500 Palestinians dead, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
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