Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologised to a former Hamas hostage that his release was not secured earlier amid stalling ceasefire negotiations.
Eli Sharabi was returned from Gaza last month after nearly 500 days in captivity and has been vocal about the abuse he suffered at the hands of terrorists.
Sharabi reported being beaten, starved and chained continuously and only discovered after he returned to Israel that his wife – British-Israeli Lianne – and their two teenage daughters, Yahel and Noiya, had been murdered during the October 7 attacks.
His ordeal, which saw him and other emaciated captives compared to Holocaust survivors, has prompted criticism of the government from some hostage advocacy groups over how long it is taking to secure releases.
In a phone call with Sharabi this morning, Netanyahu said: “I am sorry that it took us so long. We fought hard to get you out, and your brother and the entire family fought hard too.”
Sharabi, who is still fighting to secure the return of his brother Yossi’s body, thanked the Prime Minister for his efforts and stressed the need to bring all the hostages home as quickly as possible.
Netanyahu added: “That is the goal. I want you to know that we are not letting up on it for a moment, including in these moments that I am speaking to you.”
However, the conversation came amid growing uncertainty over future hostage releases as ceasefire talks ground to an impasse.
As outlined in the JC’s Israel Briefing this morning, a stand off is brewing over how to proceed now that the first phase of the agreement has officially expired.
Israel, with the backing of the US, is seeking a 50-day extension to Phase One, under which Hamas would release all of its remaining hostages (half on the first day of the new stage and half on the last) in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
However, there would be no discussion of plans for Gaza’s post-war governance, nor of a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip.
Hamas, meanwhile, is opposed to the scheme and is demanding that Israel keep to the original schedule, moving into Phase Two and pulling the IDF out of Gaza – something Netanyahu is under pressure from his political allies at home not to do.
In response, Israel has cut off the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing claims that aid convoys are raided by Hamas, and is reportedly considering shutting down the supply of electricity into the Strip, prompting condemnation from Arab states, aid groups and the UN.
