On Saturday morning, as Gillian Brisley and her husband, Pete, witnessed their son-in-law Eli Sharabi’s release from Hamas captivity, emotions ran high. Holding tightly onto a teddy bear once cherished by their daughter, Lianne, Gillian felt the weight of their family’s sorrow intertwined with the joy of reunion. This poignant moment unfolded against the heart-wrenching background of the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of Lianne and her two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, and left Eli as one of many hostages.
Eli, 52, had been taken hostage during the tragic events, which also saw the killing of his brother Yossi. The bear, rescued from their devastated home at Kibbutz Be’eri, served as a fragment of the happiness the family had once known. "When we went to the house, it was filthy, bullet holes everywhere. So we tidied up the house, tidied up the garden, so if Eli wanted to come home to it, then it looks reasonable because it was an absolute shambles," said Pete Brisley.
Yet, even this small act of care was layered with anxiety, as the Brisleys had received no updates on Eli’s well-being during his 490-day captivity. Their concerns turned to tears of relief and horror as they celebrated his release—but faced the stark reality of his emaciated condition. “He looks as though he’s been to Belsen,” Pete remarked, referring to the infamous Nazi concentration camp.
The complex emotions surrounding Eli’s release reflected the familial struggle to balance joy with unendurable grief. Gillian conveyed, "The emotion of seeing him also then brought the grief of losing our girls right up to our throats. We just sat here and we cried. We cried for our loss. We cried with relief.” The rawness of their grief surged to the surface as they grappled with the fact of their loved ones’ absence juxtaposed against the happiness of having Eli back.
While they were relieved to see Eli home, their worries shifted to his mental state upon learning about the fate of Lianne and their granddaughters. The family had hoped Eli would be prepared for the devastating news before his release. Stephen Brisley, Lianne’s brother, shared their concerns: "We just hoped he was told before so he wouldn’t have to process it after surviving prison. His relief at freedom shouldn’t have to be marred by such trauma.”
During the harrowing handover ceremony, Eli had expressed false optimism, stating, "I feel very, very happy today to return to my family and friends, to my wife and my daughters." It was only later, upon his return to Israel, he learned the gruesome reality of the loss of his family, leaving them all to confront their pain anew.
The teddy bear, imbued with memory and affection, became more than just a childhood toy; it became a vessel for healing, especially for Gillian. “Mom has found it a great comfort to speak to Lianne’s bear,” Stephen explained. “It’s like she’s talking to Lianne; it’s been cathartic for her.” The bear had shared countless moments of joy and tenderness, now representing the gaps left by devastating loss.
Remembering the happy times, Stephen detailed how Lianne and her bear were inseparable during her childhood. “When they were being naughty, her brothers would hide the bear from her, or stick it in a drawer with only its toes dangling out,” he reminisced. These cherished memories now serve as bittersweet reminders of the joy their family once had.
Lianne, who met Eli during her work experience at Kibbutz Be’eri, had woven her life and love for her family back to Israel. Yet, the brutality of violence had cut through their lives, leaving Eli grappling with unimaginable grief and loss alongside elation at his release.
Families like the Brisleys, not driven by religious faith, cling to whatever helps them cope. For them, speaking to Lianne’s bear became not just comfort but also connection—a bridge between them and the loved ones forever lost. “It’s about having something physical to hold on to,” Stephen noted, illustrating how personal belongings can transform from simple items to emotional touchstones filled with love.
Through tears, laughter, and poignant moments, the Brisley family embraces their complex reality. The moment they welcomed Eli back will forever be etched with the sorrow of his ill-fated release and the irreplaceable loss of their daughters and sister, challenging their ability to heal and look toward the future.