Freed Israeli hostages have described conditions of starvation, torture, and severe physical abuse while in captivity in Gaza. Relatives of the remaining captives are sounding the alarm over the urgent need for a continued cease-fire deal.
Three recently released hostages – Eli Sharabi, 52; Or Levy, 34; and Ohad Ben-Ami, 56 – were paraded before a crowd in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, with visible signs of malnutrition. The trio had been held captive for 16 months and received minimal medical care.
According to Israeli military officials, the hostages were “starved” and endured intentional torture. Relatives claim their loved ones suffered severe physical and emotional abuse while in captivity. Dr. Hagai Levine, who leads the medical team for the Hostage Family Forum, said the conditions are “clearly alarming” and pose a “present danger to all of the hostages’ lives.”
Hamas has denied allegations of mistreating its captives, but relatives say otherwise. The militant group released three hostages as part of a cease-fire agreement, but says it will indefinitely postpone future releases due to Israeli cease-fire violations.
The fragile truce appears to be fraying, and relatives are urging continued support for the phased cease-fire deal. Ofer Calderon, a recently released hostage, called for the continuation of the deal, stating that Hamas is a “cruel enemy” who will harm remaining captives if the deal is stopped.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/world/middleeast/israel-hostages-abuse-hamas.html