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UNITED NATIONS —
“I know that you discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza very often. But let me tell you, as an eyewitness, I saw what happened to that aid. Hamas stole it,” Sharabi said. “I saw Hamas terrorists carrying boxes with the U.N. and UNRWA emblems on them into the tunnel. Dozens and dozens of boxes, paid by your governments, feeding terrorists who tortured me and murdered my family.”
Many hostages who have returned say Hamas would eat in front of them as torture, never giving any food to the captives.
“When you speak of humanitarian aid, remember this: Hamas eats like kings while hostages starve. Hamas steals from civilians. Hamas blocks aid from reaching those who truly need it,” Sharabi told the council.
Freed Hamas hostage Eli Sharabi shows the U.N. Security Council a photo of his wife and daughters’ graves. (Perry Bindelglass)
Sharabi also slammed the U.N., the Red Cross and the world for their silence and inaction.
“Where was the United Nations? Where was the Red Cross? Where was the world?” he asked.
Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon echoed this point, saying the security council “erased the hostages” and failed to mention “the humanitarian crimes Hamas is deliberately inflicting on the hostages.” Danon then accused the “entire U.N. system” of abandoning its responsibility and the hostages.
Israeli captive Eli Sharabi, who had been held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza since October 7, 2023, is escorted by Hamas terrorists before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Danon emphasized the war would not end until the remaining hostages were returned home.
Sharabi concluded his remarks with one demand.
“Bring them all home. No more excuses. No more delays. If you stand for humanity — prove it. Bring them home,” he said.