Israel at War: Week 73
The weight of leadership falls heavy when a leader, whether president or prime minister, is sending soldiers into battle, as they risk being killed. How much more when the hundreds of innocent civilians on that fateful day in Israel October 7, 2023 were murdered, wounded, and captured. Recently released Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, 53 years old, spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu who expressed his “condolences to the bereaved father and husband, while also lamenting his 16 months in captivity in Gaza.” Eli lost his wife Lianne, and children Noiya and Yael, along with his brother Yossi
Upon seeing his interview, President Trump invited him to come to the White House along with other hostages. Eli “described being chained, beaten, and starved by his captors, with treatment worsening every time Israel’s leaders announced the deterioration of prison conditions for captured Hamas fighters.” President Trump extended his invitation after seeing the interview “of Sharabi describing his torture and starvation.” Sharabi and the other hostages “will see Trump and explain to him up close the urgency of continuing the first stage or beginning the second stage [of the cease-fire]-it doesn’t really matter,” his brother Sharon said.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his deep regret and painful reality of leaving Israeli, and other nationals, in captivity to Hamas for so long. The weight of leadership falls heavy in moments of grief, violence, and death. Especially when it involves innocent civilians.
(Source: newsrael.com)
