"Israeli captive's personal account, titled 'Hostage,' set for release in the United States this autumn"
In October 2023, a surprise Hamas attack resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of 251 individuals, one of whom was Eli Sharabi. Two years later, on October 7, 2025, the world will have the opportunity to read Sharabi's firsthand account of his harrowing experience in the English-language edition of his memoir, "Hostage."
Written originally in Hebrew, "Hostage" has already become a bestseller in Israel and is the first published memoir by a person kidnapped during the 2023 conflict. The memoir, published by Harper Influence, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, offers a detailed, stark, and unflinching account of Sharabi's life in captivity, including his interactions with his captors and the bonds formed among fellow hostages.
One significant relationship highlighted in the book is with Alon Ohel, who remains a hostage in Gaza, with whom Sharabi developed an “unbreakable father-son bond.” The memoir also reveals how Sharabi's faith played a crucial role in sustaining his resilience amid horrific conditions and psychological torment. Despite the immense suffering, including the loss of his wife and older daughter in the attack, Sharabi emphasizes the possibility of seeking light and choosing humanity even in the darkest times.
At the time of his release in early February 2025, Sharabi had lost significant weight, dropping to under 100 pounds (about 45 kg), which was lighter than his youngest daughter, who was killed along with his family during the attack.
Sharabi has expressed that it was important for his story to be shared quickly, so the world would understand the reality of life inside Hamas captivity and not remain indifferent. The memoir provides a unique perspective on the human toll of the conflict and the experience of Israeli hostages under Hamas captivity.
Key details about "Hostage":
- Author: Eli Sharabi - Subject: Captivity by Hamas following October 7, 2023 attack - Original language: Hebrew - English edition release: October 7, 2025 (2-year anniversary of the attack) - Duration of captivity: More than one year - Number of deaths in attack: About 1,200 - Number of hostages taken: 251 - Publisher: Harper Influence (HarperCollins imprint) - Themes: Faith, resilience, humanity, psychological endurance, hostage bonds.
1.Amid the turbulent backdrop of war and conflicts, Eli Sharabi's memoir, "Hostage," sheds light on the mental-health struggles and psychological endurance he experienced during his captivity.
- Politically charged issues are intertwined with general-news events, as the world awaits the publication of Sharabi's memoir, offering insights into health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and the role they played in his survival.
- As Sharabi's memoir, "Hostage," unfolds, readers gain firsthand insights into the hardships and triumphs that go beyond the headlines of science, politics, and other global topics.
