Hundreds of mourners have turned out to bury a British mother and her two teenage daughters killed in the October 7 terror attacks on Israel.
Bristol-born Lianne Sharabi, 48, and her daughters Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, were murdered by Hamas terrorists who stormed their home in Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel, close to the Gaza border.
Lianne was killed in the October 7 attack while Noiya and Yael were confirmed dead in the weeks after the invasion. Their father Eli remains missing.
Sharabi family
From left: Yahel, Lianne and Noiya Sharabi
The girls and their mother could not be laid to rest at home, the site of a massacre, so were buried in Kfar HaRif, 25km away, on Wednesday.
Speaking at their graveside, Lianne’s brother-in-law, Raz Matalon, told Sky News: “What you saw now is what happens when we fail, when Israel fails just for a minute to protect their citizens.”
In a recorded message sent from the UK, Lianne’s mother, Gill Brisley, said: "We will miss our girl to the end of our days, and keep her in our hearts forever, tucked away with the fondest memory of her 48 years. Goodnight, sleep tight sweetheart."
Lianne moved to Israel aged 19 and frequently visited the UK with her family.
Sharabi family funeral
A member of the Sharabi family holds a portrait of Noiya at her graveside (Photo: Getty)
Relatives described Noiya as “clever, sensitive, fun and full of life” in a statement they released earlier this week.
They added: "She was an amazing granddaughter, cousin and niece. We are heartbroken she has gone, but forever grateful she was here."
Of Yahel, who was “funny all the time” and loved to sing and dance, they said: "She lived a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind.”
According to relatives, the Sharabis were all sheltering in a safe room in their home when Hamas terrorists stormed in on October 7 and shot the family dog.
Lianne called her sister-in-law, Nira Sharabi, who recalled her last contact with the family: “[Lianne] sent me a message saying; ‘Nira, I can hear them. They are here at our house. They are shooting and shouting ‘Die Israel’. Please call for help’''.
Nira lost contact with the family ten minutes later, she said.
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