Be'eri community joyful at return of hostages, awaiting members still held in Gaza

Record ID: 1965067

  • Title: Be'eri community joyful at return of hostages, awaiting members still held in Gaza
  • Date: 8th February 2025
  • Summary: BEERI, ISRAEL (FEBRUARY 8, 2025) (REUTERS) POSTER WELCOMING TWO KIBBUTZ MEMBERS FROM GAZA CAPTIVITY ON ENTRANCE GATE TO COMMUNITY PHOTO OF HOSTAGE ELI SHARABI/HOSTAGE OHAD BEN AMI
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: ceasefire gaza hamas attack hamas captivity hostages kibbutz beeri october 7
  • Location: BEERI, ISRAEL
  • City: BEERI, ISRAEL
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA001984708022025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: An Israeli community that lost around 10 percent of its members in the Oct.7 Hamas massacre rejoiced on Saturday (February 8) as two of its members were released from Gaza captivity, but the sight of the emaciated men shocked those who know them.
    Kibbutz Be'eri was one of the hardest-hit communities along the border with Gaza Strip. One in 10 members of the kibbutz was killed when Hamas gunmen breached the gates and attacked residents in their homes. At least 30 members were kidnapped and taken into Gaza.
    Two of the hostages released from Gaza after 491 days in Hamas captivity are members of the close-knit community and were kidnapped from the kibbutz: Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Eli Sharabi, 51. Another hostage who was released with them, Or Levy, was abducted from the Nova music festival.
    At the sight of them appearing emaciated and weak when armed Hamas militants handed them over to the Red Cross in Gaza, members reacted with cheer that turned quickly into shock and tears.
    There are 6 members of the kibbutz who were pronounced dead and held by militants in Gaza, and one who is presumed to be alive.
    Hamas has not provided information about the fate of hostages while Israel and the Palestinian militant group were negotiating via mediators a ceasefire to halt the war in Gaza and release hostages.
    (Production: Ilan Rosenberg, Michal Yaakov Itzhaki, Avivit Delgoshen)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains photographs or artwork. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing this clip.
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