The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters noted that these findings were based on the treatment of 105 hostages who were freed after 50 days.
Israel’s Health Ministry finalized a report detailing severe physical and psychological abuse suffered by hostages in Gaza, including children, who were released during a November 2023 temporary ceasefire. The report — the first comprehensive account of hostages’ experiences — will be submitted to the United Nations.
“Torture. Physical and psychological torture. Starvation. Sexual abuse. Beatings. Branding,” tweeted Israeli President Isaac Herzog in response. “Just some of the horrific words that jump from the pages of the Ministry of Health’s submission to the UN on the horrific ordeal endured by the hostages at the hands of Hamas terrorist murderers and rapists in Gaza.”
Hostages were subjected to extreme conditions, including sexual assaults, prolonged periods in darkness, physical beatings, and starvation. Many were bound hand and foot and deprived of adequate food and water. Several endured additional horrors, such as being burned or branded with heated metal. Medical care was either withheld or administered without pain relief, resulting in excruciating suffering during procedures, including surgeries.