Keir Starmer has hosted freed Gaza hostage Eli Sharabi at Downing Street after expressing his “dismay” at his ‘frail condition” when he was released by Hamas last month.
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the Prime Minister had invited Sharabi to No.10 on Friday where he heard further details of his 491 days in captivity in Gaza.
Sharabi, 52, was taken captive from Kibbutz Beeri by the militants during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
His Bristol-born wife Lianne and teenage daughters Noiya and Yahel were killed by terrorists while hiding in their safe room, while his brother, Yossi Sharabi, who lived next door, was killed in captivity.
Keir Starmer meets Mandy Damari at LFI lunch event
In a statement after Sharabi was paraded on February 8th during his release from Gaza by Hamas terrorists looking poorly treated Starmer had said:”I shared the relief of so many at Eli Sharabi’s release earlier today but was dismayed to see his frail condition and the circumstances of his release.
“Having met his relatives I appreciate the deep pain they have endured and my thoughts are with them.
“We must continue to see all the hostages freed – these people were ripped away from their lives in the most brutal circumstances and held in appalling conditions.”
Starmer has previously told how profoundly moved he was to speak with Emily Damari and the freed British hostage’s mother Mandy.
