'He was unrecognisable' say family of freed hostage

The family of an Israeli hostage held in captivity for 16 months said they barely recognised him when he first appeared on their television screens.

Eli Sharabi was released by Hamas on 8 February as part of the peace deal in Gaza.

His brother-in-law Steve Brisley said: "We all squinted at the TV and asked is it him because he was unrecognisable."

That was before an emotional reunion in a hospital in Israel last week after Mr Sharabi had been informed his wife and two daughters had been killed in the 7 October attacks.

Edited by Erin Lister