On October 7, 2023, Nira Sharabi, along with her daughters, watched in horror as her husband, Yossi, was abducted from his home in Be’eri and forced into a car along with 16-year-old Ofir Engel.
Nira told the Friends of Zion Museum that while the girls hid under a blanket, Yossi was “guarding the door of the fortified room.” She continues to describe how, once the terrorists broke in, they gathered them together, brought them to a road near their house, and forced Yossi and Ofir into a vehicle before driving away.
In an interview with Channel 12, 16-year-old former hostage Amit Shani described his time with Yossi and Ofir Engel. They were held in an apartment until Amit and Ofir were freed in late November. During their time there, Amit describes feeling safer with him there, whose 16th birthday occurred during his captivity. He describes how “it was a comfort that he was there.. He always tried to care for us.” The three of them stuck together, surviving through reassurances that “it would be ok.” Ofir and Amit did not get to say farewell to Sharabi.
A man known for his heart
Yossi grew up in Tel Aviv and moved to kibbutz Be’eri 32 years ago, following his brother Eli, who was also kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. Eli Sharabi survived his captivity and was released on February 8. As an avid advocate for the release of the hostages, Eli Sharabi shared a video on September 16th, his 55th birthday, sharing that he and his family were “on the mission of [their] lives for a proper burial,” further sharing that “[they] would never give up.”
Yossi, 53, was celebrated as a loving and dedicated father and husband. He was known as a family man with a big heart and deep devotion to life, constantly maintaining a “joie de vivre (joy of living).”
As a pillar of the family, Yossi’s family and friends described him as brimming with life, always looking forward to the future. His loved ones told the Israeli organization that he was a skilled surfer, loved Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, and found peace in nature.
He worked in Be’eri’s Printing business for 23 years, where he started as a warehouseman, eventually becoming manager of the safety and security of the business, according to the Coming Home Soon initiative, an organization focused on illuminating the stories behind the hostages. His colleagues say he was an “attentive and caring manager and very attached to his staff members. He was an active and involved board member, and above all, Yossi was a friend. We will miss him very much.”
Along with Eli, Yossi had three other siblings, making up a close-knit family. Yossi’s brother, Sharon, shared that Yossi was a man “renowned for his affection towards others,” continuing to say that he embodied care and an unwavering commitment to everyone in his life, “always radiating happiness.”
Statement from Kibbutz Be'eri
The Sharabi family has confirmed in these moments that Yossi Sharabi, may his memory be a blessing, has been returned to Israeli territory and officially identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, after two long and painful years.
Yossi was kidnapped alive from his home in Kibbutz Be'eri and murdered in captivity.
Nira, Yossi's wife: "We miss our Yossi so much, he was an amazing partner and a perfect father to Yuval, Ophir, and Oren. A kind-hearted man who always sought ways to do good. Now we can finally end the nightmare that began more than two years ago, and give Yossi a dignified and loving burial in the land of Be'eri, which he loved so much. We call on everyone to continue fighting for the return of all the kidnapped remains, until the last hostage is brought home."
Kibbutz Be'er shared they embraced the Sharabi family at this time and all those "who worked tirelessly for Yossi's return to be buried in Israel."
"In this difficult and complex time, we hope that you will find some comfort knowing that the circle of horrors from the past two years has now closed," the Kibbutz published. "Kibbutz Be'eri awaits the return of Meni Godard z"l, Sahar Baruch z"l, Dror Or z"l, and all the deceased hostages, and calls for the struggle to continue without compromise, until the last hostage is returned."
The date of the funeral will be announced later.