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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Miriam Burrell

Tears as British woman and teenage daughters killed in Hamas attack buried in Israel

Friends and family of a British-Israeli mother and her two teenage daughters who were killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks broke down in tears as they were buried.

An emotional funeral for Bristol-born Lianne Sharabi and her daughters Noiya Sharabi, 16, and Yahel Sharabi, 13, was held in Kfar Harif on Wednesday.

The trio are among seven British nationals confirmed dead in the bloody massacre carried out by the militant group.

Young girls were seen hugging and crying near the burial site while others prayed and kissed portraits of the family as a large crowd mourned together.

A sea of bright floral tributes were laid on the three caskets, along with the Israeli flag, before they were lowered into the ground.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier this week Noiya's death was confirmed by family members to the BBC. Last week her sister Yahel's death was confirmed.

Their father Eli remains missing and their uncle Yosi has been kidnapped, the BBC reports.

In a statement provided to the BBC, Noiya’s family said her smile “lit up the room like a beacon”.

Her family added that she “embraced every opportunity to help others, particularly those less fortunate than she, and was a gifted student and linguist.

“Most importantly, she was an amazing granddaughter, cousin and niece. We are heartbroken she has gone, but forever grateful she was here.”Yahel was remembered for her singing and dancing. Her family in the UK said they were left with "a Yahel-shaped hole in our lives that can never be filled".

Lianne, Noiya (right) and Yahel (left) (BBC)

Their mother Lianne moved to Israel from Bristol aged 19 to work on a kibbutz. She then built her life here until Hamas decided to take that from her and her daughters.

Her brother Steve described her as "big in every way - her love, her personality, her attitude and her mouth", the BBC said.

In a eulogy, her mother Gill said she had a dry sense of humour.

"We will miss our girl to the end of our days and keep her in our hearts forever, tucked away with the fondest memories of her 48 years," she said.

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