Grieving friends and family wept today as they said a final goodbye to a British mother and her two teenage girls killed by Hamas terrorists in Israel.
Lianne Sharabi from Bristol and her daughter Yahel, 13, were both shot dead in their home on Be’eri Kibbutz on Saturday October 7th.
It was initially hoped that her second daughter, Noiya, 16, was still alive after being taken hostage by Hamas – but the teenager’s body was eventually discovered days after the raid. The girls’ father, Eli, remains missing and is believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.
Today, their extended family and friends remembered Lianne, Noiya and Yahel at a heartbreaking joint funeral at Kfar Harif Cemetery in southern Israel.
Lianne’s British parents and three brothers were among those who paid their respects in a series of recorded speeches at the funeral. The distraught relatives were heartbroken as they gathered around the three coffins, each draped with Israeli flags.
Her mother Gill said: “Our Lianne was the light of our family’s life.” She had a wonderfully caring nature.
(From left to right) Noam, Ayelet, Hodaya and Noa, friends of Noiya, mourned the loss of their close friend
Hadas Sharabi (pictured left), wife of Sharon Sharabi, and her daughter Rotem (pictured right) were seen mourning at the cemetery
Their loved ones mourned the loss and sent their final messages to those who died
Papa Eli (pictured, second from left) is still missing and is believed to be being held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza
Lianne, Noiya and Yahel were buried today at the Kfar Harif cemetery in southern Israel
Lianne, Noiya and Yahel were buried in simple wooden coffins
Lianne (pictured middle) moved to Israel for the first time at the age of 19 to work as a volunteer in a kibbutz
“She would help anyone in trouble, be it physical, emotional or financial, she would be there for them.”
“She was funny, with a dry sense of humor – sometimes irreverent, but never malicious.”
“She fully embraced life on Be’eri and made many friends over the years.”
“She was a wonderful mother to Noiya and Yahel and a great support to Eli.”
“Her love for her parents and the rest of the family here was always evident.
“She never failed to stay in touch with us and we enjoyed hearing about her life in Israel and the adventures she had with Eli, Noiya and Yahel.”
“We will miss our girl until the end of our days and will forever keep her in our hearts, hidden with the most beautiful memories of her 48 years.”
“Goodnight, sleep tight, darling.”
Gill then remembered her granddaughter Noiya as a “beacon of light.”
She said of them: “Them [British] The family was fortunate to visit Be’eri as Noiya grew from a loving and happy child into a compassionate teenager and a beautiful and talented young woman.
Hundreds gathered to mourn the deaths of Lianne and her two daughters
The three women were temporarily buried at the Kfar Harif cemetery
Once a year the family returned to Bristol to visit their British relatives
Lianne sent a text message to her relatives telling them that Hamas gunmen had broken into Kibbutz Be’eri shortly before her death
Hamas terrorists managed to break into the security room set up in their house
“She was always the big sister, she looked after Yahel and was very proud of her little sister.”
“She would often chase us around the room and sing at the top of her lungs to make us laugh.”
“We will always cherish the memories of a beautiful and talented girl.”
“A beacon gone out too soon, but always in our hearts, always.”
“We will miss her smiling face.”
Turning to her Yahel, she continued, “She was funny, mischievous and a joy to be with.” We will never know what she might have become – a veterinarian, an entertainer, a naturalist, perhaps even the first Israeli woman in space.
“All we know is that there is a Yahel-shaped gap in our lives that can never be filled for her British family.”
Her father Pete said: “I saw Lianne born on the double bed in our bedroom in the early hours of February 20, 1975.”
Several people wore T-shirts demanding the safe return of Lianne’s husband Eli and her brother-in-law Yosi, who were kidnapped and are believed to be being held hostage by Hamas
“As a teenager she was something of a rebel, but she was always very popular and made friends easily.
“She wanted to travel the world [and] She applied to volunteer at the kibbutz for three months.
“After three months at Be’eri, Lianne called home and said, “She had met a man and was staying there… and so on… and so on.
“Engagement and marriage soon followed with a wonderful wedding and party in Bristol, followed by a trip to Be’eri for an Israeli ‘wedding celebration’ with a feast, lots of drinking and dancing.
“In our many trips there over the course of 28 years, it was clear that Lianne was truly loved by so many people on the kibbutz.”
Her brother Ian added: “Eli, then Noiya, then Yaheli seemed to complete Lianne and her reason for living became so much deeper.”
Relatives placed wreaths, portraits and flowers on the family’s graves
“Lianne, my little sister, thank you for everything you have given me.” You are a part of me and mine forever and I expect you to be the same special person, my only little sister, when we meet again someday.
Her brother Steve added: “Lianne was my big sister.” Big in every way – her love, her personality, her attitude and her mouth!!
“Although I can’t believe Lianne is gone, I also can’t believe I was lucky enough to have her as my sister, but also as my friend.”
Hundreds of well-wishers gathered at the shaded cemetery on the edge of Kibbutz Kfar Hafar to pay their respects.
Noiya’s best friend burst into tears as she paid tribute to her.
She asked, “In what world do teenagers bury their teenage friends?”
“Life will never be the same.”
“We’re waiting to wake up from this nightmare and you’ll show up and say you betrayed us.”
They had left several photos of Lianne, Noiya and Yahel on their coffins
Young people mourned the loss of their close friends
Loved ones were seen throwing dirt on their coffins according to Hebrew custom
Yehal’s friends took turns describing their love for the 13-year-old, some unable to hold back their tears.
Many wore T-shirts and called for the safe return of Lianne’s husband Eli and her brother-in-law Yosi, who were kidnapped and are believed to be being held hostage by Hamas.
Among the mourners were soldiers armed with automatic rifles and handguns.
Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces helicopters flew overhead as they made their way to the front line with Gaza.
Lianne, Noiya and Yehal will only be temporarily buried in the Kfar Harif Cemetery as they could not be buried in the Be’eri Kibbutz for security reasons.
Bristol-born mother-of-two Lianne first moved to Israel when she was 19 to work as a volunteer on a kibbutz. She returned to the UK at least once a year to visit family with her daughters and husband.
Last week, frightened Lianne’s shocking final news was revealed by relatives.
The 48-year-old mother sent a panicked text message to her sister-in-law Nira telling her that she could hear Hamas gunmen “shooting and shouting ‘Die Israel'” before begging her to call for help.
Nira Sharabi told Web last week: ‘The last contact I had with Lianne was on Saturday morning (October 7) at around 11am.
“She sent a message saying, ‘Nira, I can hear you. You are here with us at home. They shoot and shout “Die Israel”. Please call for help.
Hamas terrorists killed the three women in their home on Kibbutz Be’eri
Noiya was just 16 years old when she was murdered
Yahel was just 13 years old when she was killed in her own home
‘I told her; “Be strong! I’m calling for help!” But ten minutes later I lost contact with her and the girls.
“We later learned that Lianne and Yahel had been murdered. But we [didn’t] know what happened to Noiya and her father Eli. All we know is that the terrorists broke into their safe room.
“Eli had barricaded the door and was holding the handle, but the terrorists managed to open it.” When the soldiers entered, there was a pool of blood outside the security room door.
“The terrorists didn’t burn down the house, they destroyed everything. Everything in the house was broken. They even shot Moka the dog. She was found dead under the table in the living room. She had bled to death.’
Hamas also broke into Nira’s home and took her husband Yosi hostage. He is still missing.
Disturbing photos of the Sharabi family home show it covered in blood, the furniture smashed and their dog killed and rotting in the living room.
At the entrance to the property’s safe room where they sought refuge from rocket attacks, a pool of blood was found on the floor and walls.
Another pool of blood lies in the next room, next to a child’s wooden bed.