LONDON — On Saturday morning, as Gillian Brisley and her husband, Pete, witnessed the release of their son-in-law from captivity, Gillian held tightly to a teddy bear.
This bear served as a poignant reminder of the turmoil their family has endured since the attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the tragic deaths of their daughter, Lianne Sharabi, and her teenage daughters, Noiya and Yahel. During this brutal incident, their son-in-law, Eli Sharabi, was taken hostage, and his brother Yossi was also a victim.
The stuffed animal, once cherished by Lianne, became a symbolic connection to the heartbreaking events in the Middle East as the Brisleys watched the hostage handover unfold on television in their home in South Wales.
“While Gill was crying, she was holding on to the teddy bear, which Lianne had since she was around ten years old. We were fortunate to find it in Kibbutz Be’eri when we went to her house,” said Pete Brisley. “The house was in disarray, with dirt and bullet holes everywhere. We cleaned it up and took care of the garden, hoping that if Eli ever came home, it would be a welcoming environment instead of a total wreck.”
Simply tidying the place was a hopeful act since the family had not received any updates on Eli since he was taken back to Gaza alongside over 200 other hostages. Out of the blue, the Brisleys learned on Friday that Sharabi, 52, would be among three hostages released the following day, prompting them to rise early on Saturday to see him return.
The situation was one of mixed feelings. Although they rejoiced in his newfound freedom, they were also shaken by the frail, weakened image of Eli on screen, a stark contrast to the robust man they had known just 18 months prior. The vibrancy that typically lit up his eyes appeared to have vanished.
“He looked like he had been to a concentration camp,” Pete Brisley remarked, referencing the notorious historical site of Belsen from World War II.
Eli’s release also stirred various emotions within the family, who had been channeling their grief into efforts to secure his freedom. When expressing her feelings about his release, Gillian Brisley stated she felt relieved but added, “Seeing him brought the grief of losing our girls right to the surface. We just sat here and cried. We cried for our loss, for the relief that Eli was home, and we cried for Yossi. It was a whirlwind of emotions.”
Moreover, there remained apprehension for Sharabi. It was reported that he only learned after his return that his wife and daughters had perished on October 7. The family had hoped he would have been informed prior to his release, sparing him from having to bear such heartbreaking news after enduring 490 days in captivity, noted Stephen Brisley, Lianne’s brother.
Lianne and Eli’s relationship began during a three-month work experience at Kibbutz Be’eri, where they fell in love and eventually settled in Israel.
Naturally, the teddy bear accompanied them on their journey and held special significance for the family. Stephen fondly recounted how, in their Wales upbringing, the bear was frequently used in mischievous games by Lianne’s brothers and participated in imaginative tea parties and concerts hosted by the children.
While the Brisley family doesn’t adhere to any religious beliefs or find solace in prayer, the bear now symbolizes a cherished connection to those they have lost.
“My mom has found comfort in talking to Lianne’s bear, and she mentions that she engages with it every morning and evening, treating it as if she’s conversing with Lianne,” Stephen shared.
“It’s been a cathartic experience for her. The bear serves as a substantial, physical link to someone she can no longer embrace.”