'We don't know if he's alive' - hostage's family

Hostage Eli Sharabi (centre) is seen here pictured with his family who were all killed in Hamas's attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023

The Welsh family of an Israeli hostage due to be released by Hamas have said they still do not know if he is still alive.

Eli Sharabi was taken hostage during the attacks of 7 October 2023 in which his wife and two daughters were killed.

Mr Sharabi is among a list of 33 hostages due to be released in the next stage of the ceasefire deal to end 15 months of war in Gaza.

However, that does not guarantee he is still alive, with 34 of the 91 hostages still held by Hamas presumed dead.

Steve Brisley, of Pencoed, Bridgend, has been campaigning to free his brother-in-law and told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast the family is still awaiting news.

"We know that Eli's name is on the list of 33 [but] inclusion on the list does not necessarily mean they are alive," he said.

"So we're in a position where we will only know whether or not Eli has survived when it's his turn to come out.

"We will know, maybe 24 hours in advance whether or not Eli has survived his ordeal.

"We've got a broad framework that it's going to be women and children first... all we know is that."

The first three hostages were released on Sunday after 471 days in captivity as part of the long-awaited but fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that has also seen 90 Palestinian prisoners freed.

Mr Brisley said it is a "bittersweet" time but it was a source of great joy to see other hostages being released having formed bonds with the relatives of other hostages.

"The next best thing to Eli coming out is the other hostages coming out," he said.

"It's bittersweet of course and it's been a rollercoaster of a week and it's going to be a tough few weeks coming up."

Steve Brisley's sister Lianne was killed in the Hamas attacks

Mr Brisley's sister Lianne, a British citizen, and his teenage nieces Noiya and Yahel were killed in Hamas' attack in southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people died and 251 others were taken hostage.

He said: "It just brings everything back and you're reminded of that day and the horrors that brought.

"So it does rake up the emotions and again, it's a mixture of grief and bereavement being mixed in with the possibility of seeing Eli again."

Four more Israeli hostages are expected to be released this week, and three hostages will be released every seven days thereafter, according to outgoing US President Joe Biden

Meanwhile, Hamas says that for every Israeli hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli jails.

Egypt - one of the mediators - said this weekend that 1,890 prisoners would be released during the first phase.