Freed Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi has been invited to Washington to meet with Donald Trump this week, his brother confirmed on Sunday. Sharabi, who was released from Gaza after 16 months in captivity, is expected to meet Trump and other freed hostages on Tuesday. This comes after the U.S. president viewed Sharabi’s emotional interview, where he detailed the brutal hunger and violence he endured while in captivity.
Sharabi’s brother, Sharon, mentioned that the interview, which was aired on Israeli television, was shown to Trump with English subtitles. The president was reportedly shocked by the content but expressed deep sympathy for those who survived such harrowing conditions.
The interview, which was widely shared by Israeli advocacy groups, including online platforms, revealed the severe physical toll taken on Sharabi and other hostages. Sharabi was taken from his home in Be’eri kibbutz during the 7 October Hamas attack, where he was held captive for over 500 days. He recounted being bound, losing consciousness, and suffering from extreme hunger. “I remember not being able to fall asleep because of the pain,” Sharabi shared, describing the painful conditions.
Sharabi’s brother further noted that the freed hostage would be traveling to the U.S. on a plane provided by Miriam Adelson, the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and a major donor to Trump’s political campaigns. “We’ll arrive to meet Trump and explain to him directly the urgency of continuing or starting the next phase of the ceasefire,” Sharon Sharabi stated, referring to the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
During the attack, Sharabi’s family was targeted, with his wife and daughters locked in a safe room that was then set on fire. Sharabi only learned of their deaths after his release. His other brother, Yossi, was also taken hostage and died last year during an Israeli military operation.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict, the U.S. continues its support for Israel, including a recent arms deal worth nearly $3 billion. Meanwhile, demonstrations in Tel Aviv highlight growing concerns about the safety of hostages still held in Gaza.
