Hamas Hostages: A Grim Report on Medical and Psychological Abuse

A devastating report by Israel's Health Ministry has revealed the severe medical and psychological toll endured by hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza. The report, set to be submitted to the United Nations this week, details the horrific abuse suffered by men, women, and children during their over 50 days of imprisonment, including starvation, sexual abuse, physical beatings, and neglect.

Hostages were subjected to numerous forms of torture, such as withholding medical care, isolation, deprivation of food and water, and even branding and hair-pulling. One hostage tragically died from untreated medical complications during captivity, while many others suffered from malnutrition, with some losing up to 18% of their body weight, particularly children.

The report also highlights the severe psychological effects of the captivity. Released hostages reported enduring nightmares, sleep deprivation, and feelings of derealization, struggling to come to terms with the horrors they had endured. Many also suffer from survivor’s guilt and have avoided discussing their trauma for fear of retaliation against family members still held captive.

Sexual abuse was also a rampant part of the hostages' suffering. Several individuals, including children, described being sexually assaulted by their captors, with some being forced into degrading acts at gunpoint. These experiences have left deep scars, and many returnees now face the prospect of long-term psychological disorders like PTSD.

The report also noted that hostages, particularly children, faced long-term health risks due to the poor conditions, such as the development of life-threatening conditions like Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) due to prolonged immobility.

The Health Ministry has expressed its commitment to providing medical care and rehabilitation to these individuals, and Moshe Bar-Siman-Tov, Director General of the Health Ministry, emphasized the urgency of bringing all hostages home as quickly as possible.