Freed hostage Eli Sharabi blasts UN, Red Cross in emotional UN testimony

Eli Sharabi, a former Israeli hostage held by Hamas for 491 days, delivered a searing testimony at the United Nations Security Council on Friday, questioning the absence of international aid organizations during his captivity. Speaking at a special session on hostages still held in Gaza, Sharabi recounted the horrors he endured after being kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023.

“My heaven turned to hell that day,” Sharabi said, describing how Hamas terrorists tore him from his family—his wife Leanne and daughters Noya and Yahel, whom he later learned were murdered. “Over 100 terrorists laughed and celebrated as they dragged me away.” Beaten and nearly lynched by a Gaza mob, he was held underground, chained and starved. “The chains tore into my skin from the moment I arrived until I was released,” he told the Council.

Sharabi, freed in February as part of a ceasefire deal alongside Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, accused Hamas of hoarding humanitarian aid. “I saw dozens of boxes—paid for by your governments—carried off by terrorists who ate multiple meals a day in front of us while we got nothing,” he said. He also demanded answers: “Where was the Red Cross? Where was the United Nations?”

The session drew sharp responses. The U.S. representative blamed Hamas for renewed hostilities, stating, “This could end tomorrow if they released the hostages and disarmed.” The UK delegate echoed, “Hamas must answer for their despicable acts.” Sharabi spoke for those still captive, including his murdered brother Yossi, whose body remains in Gaza, and Alon Ohel, held 50 meters underground.

Outside UN headquarters in New York, supporters rallied for Sharabi, who met with Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon beforehand. “Eli will remind the world who we’re fighting for,” Danon posted on X. Sharabi’s brother Sharon thanked the crowd, saying, “Your support warms our hearts.” Initial medical reports from Tel Aviv’s Sourasky and Sheba hospitals described the released hostages as severely malnourished, having lost 30% of their body weight—conditions President Isaac Herzog called a “crime against humanity.”

Sharabi’s return to Israel has been bittersweet, marked by the loss of his family and the struggle to rebuild after nearly 16 months of torment.

Jerusalem Post contributed to this article.