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Hostage

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Hostage

By: Eli Sharabi
Narrated by: Geoffrey Cantor
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Summary

On October 7th, 2023, Hamas terrorists stormed Kibbutz Be'eri, shattering the peaceful life Eli Sharabi had built with his British wife, Lianne, and their teenage daughters, Noiya and Yahel. Dragged barefoot out of his front door while his family watched in horror, Sharabi was plunged into the suffocating darkness of Gaza's tunnels, where he endured 491 days in captivity. As war raged above him, Sharabi held onto the hope that he would be reunited with his loved ones.

In the first memoir by a released Israeli hostage, and the fastest-selling book in Israel's history, Sharabi offers a searing firsthand account of survival under unimaginable conditions—starvation, isolation, physical beatings, and psychological abuse at the hands of his captors.

Eli Sharabi's story is one of hunger and heartache, of physical pain, longing, loneliness and a helplessness that threatens to destroy the soul. But it is also a story of strength, of resilience, and of the human spirit's refusal to surrender. It is about the camaraderie forged in captivity, the quiet power of faith, and one man's unrelenting decision to choose life, time and time again.

Reminiscent of Elie Wiesel's Night, Hostage is a profound witness to history, so that it shall be neither forgotten nor erased.

©2025 Eli Sharabi (P)2025 Hachette UK Limited
Military & War Middle East Heartfelt Inspiring Scary Thought-Provoking
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After listening to Eli Sharabi speak in person in London after his release from 491 days in captivity at the hands of brutal Hamas terrorists, I was in awe of his amazing strength and desire to survive. Eli has written a beautiful and harrowing account of his time in captivity, his relationship with his fellow hostages and his feelings towards his kidnappers and captors, whilst remaining unaware that his wife and daughters, who he was brutally torn away from on October 7th 2023, had been murdered by Hamas. Eli's overriding love for life and his fight for survival show his amazing strength and courage which he spread to his fellow hostages. Sadly this isn't a fictional tale - I was listening to this book whilst watching the remaining living hostages (some of whom Eli encountered during his time in captivity) being released back to their families in Israel. This is a really important book, not only to understand the events of October 7th 2023 and the years that followed but also as an inspirational account of survival above all else.

A must-listen account of strength and survival

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This is a world none of us should have to see, but Eli Sharabi has brought it to light with incredible strength. His account is mesmerizingly defined by a miraculous calm in the face of profound loss and utter dismay. The simple, raw human drive to stay alive is the book's ultimate testament. A deep blessing upon Eli for not only enduring his days as a hostage, but for having the courage to share a story of such unwavering human endurance

Eli Sharabi's compassion shines so bright

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Truth and compassion
A genuine person who has endured and overcome such pain and suffering. A truly inspiring person

Moving and insightful

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Hollywood couldn't dream this up. an incredible story by an incredible man. instantly hooked to Eli's story. Sadly, for all the wrong reasons, this should be made into a movie.

one of the rare times I get both hardback and audio

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I listened to this as I remembered what many people suffered in the hands of Mugabe. So many similarities, but what struck me the most was Eli’s strength. Not physical, but his mental strength and how he cared & helped those around him, wherever he was. This reminds me of what Rhodesians/Zimbabweans were like when I was growing up… they would do anything for you, give you the shirt off their back… to now, a whole civilisation wiped off the earth. I pray that this does not happen for the people of Israel, I’m grateful for Trump & what he’s done/doing for Peace.

Incredible strength

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