Man Endures Torture of Uncertainty Over Brother-in-Law’s Fate
A Bridgend man grapples with the agony of not knowing if his brother-in-law is alive after a tragic attack in Israel
Bridgend, Israel, Hamas, Hostage, War, Tragedy
Bridgend: A man named Stephen Brisley is living through a nightmare. His sister and two nieces were killed in the horrific attack on Israel on October 7. Now, he’s left in agony, not knowing if his brother-in-law Eli is alive or dead.
Stephen’s sister, Lianne, was a British citizen, and her daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were just teenagers. They were among the 1,200 people who lost their lives that day, while Eli was taken hostage. It’s been a tough few months for the family.
Right now, there are still 94 hostages held by Hamas, and 34 of them are presumed dead. A deal has been made to release some hostages, but Stephen is still in the dark about Eli’s fate. He shared his feelings on BBC Radio Wales, saying it’s been a long wait with no answers.
“We’ve been thinking about this moment for over a year,” he said. “After losing my sister and nieces, the hope of Eli coming back has kept me going.” But he’s also cautious. He knows that until there’s solid news, he can’t let himself feel too excited.
Stephen mentioned that the only information they received was back in November when Israeli authorities confirmed Eli was taken alive. But that was a long time ago, and he worries about what Eli has been through in the Gaza tunnels.
“We just don’t know how he’s holding up,” he said. “The excitement of a possible release is mixed with fear. It could be a joyful reunion or a heartbreaking goodbye.”
He’s made plans for when he hears news about Eli. “I’ll go to Israel, whether it’s to welcome him home or to say goodbye,” he explained. But the waiting is torture, and he knows it’ll be a tough few weeks ahead.
Stephen described the war as a tragedy, saying no one has truly won. “Thousands have died, and Gaza is in ruins. It’ll take decades to rebuild,” he lamented. He hopes this might be the last war and believes a two-state solution is the way forward.
“Most people just want to live normal lives,” he said. “My sister was a dental nurse, and Eli is a businessman. They wanted peace, just like everyone else.” He believes it’s up to the international community to help make that happen.