More than two dozen women received awards Wednesday at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation as part of an International Women’s Day event, which honored the women shaping Israel’s post-October 7 recovery.

The women accepting medals of distinction included a freed hostage along with the wives, mothers and sisters of female captives, some of whom have been released while others — among them Israelis killed in captivity — are still held in Gaza.

As the women spoke, they noted the joy of greeting the freed hostages, along with the feelings of mourning for their loved ones whose bodies they hope will eventually be brought home.

“We’re partially happy,” said Osnat Sharabi, whose brothers Eli and Yossi Sharabi were kidnapped during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

Yossi was killed in captivity and his body is still held in Gaza, Eli Sharabi was freed in the ongoing hostage release and ceasefire deal. Upon returning to Israel, Eli discovered that his wife and daughters were killed by Hamas terrorists at their Kibbutz Be’eri home on October 7.

“We need those who are no longer alive to be returned home so that we close the circle as a nation and begin to look forward, like Eli, who came back and he is facing his future,” added Osnat Sharabi.

Two mothers whose sons were killed on October 7, their remains taken hostage by Hamas to Gaza, slammed references to them as “bodies” instead of........

© The Times of Israel