Israel Health Ministry report on hostages in Gaza reveals shocking accounts of abuse

This article and the linked report contain descriptions of the torture of the Israeli hostages in Gaza by Hamas, which may be disturbing for some readers. 

A report by the Israel Ministry of Health on the treatment of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups during the Oct. 7, 2023 invasion of southern Israel reveals disturbing treatment during their captivity, including sexual and psychological abuse, medical neglect, starvation, beatings, and even burns. 

The report, which will be submitted to the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on torture, was published by the Health Ministry on Saturday evening. 

According to the report, “women, men, and children who returned from captivity reported that they endured severe physical and sexual abuse, such as beatings, isolation, deprivation of food and water, branding, hair-pulling and sexual assault.” 

The Health Ministry found that hostages were “denied medical treatment for acute injuries” sustained during the Oct. 7 invasion and attack, which led to medical complications that could have been prevented had the hostages received immediate and adequate medical care. 

Hostages with pre-existing medical conditions did not receive necessary medicines or treatment, which caused at least one of the hostages to die in captivity and may have contributed to the death of at least one other hostage after release from captivity. 

Former hostages described being deliberately starved during their captivity, and their poor diet and lack of exposure to the sun contributed to various health issues, including vitamin D deficiency and malnutrition. 

In addition to the psychological trauma of many hostages who watched family members and neighbors being killed before their eyes, many also reported continued psychological torture during their captivity, including witnessing the killing of other captives, threats of death, solitary confinement, and brainwashing attempts designed “to break their spirit and make them submissive.” 

Health officials found that many returning hostages “exhibited sharp mood swings, with some showing signs of hypomania upon return, followed by extreme depression.” 

Many showed a reticence to speak of their treatment by their captors, “fearing retaliation against their loved ones still in captivity if they spoke about their experiences.” 

At least one of the female hostages reported “being sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a Hamas terrorist,” while other female hostages described being forced to undress in front of male captors. 

The Health Ministry report will be submitted to the United Nations this week. 

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters issued a statement following the release of the report, blasting world leaders and leaders of humanitarian organizations, many of whom have largely remained silent about the treatment of Israeli hostages by the terror groups in Gaza. 

“To the world, its leaders, and humanitarian organizations: How can you watch this torture continue? How can you remain silent? The truth cannot be denied – every hostage faces mortal danger each day they remain in captivity,” the statement said. 

“The shocking testimonies from released hostages paint a grim reality: physical abuse, psychological torment, and dehumanizing conditions were inflicted on innocent people, some as young as children and as old as grandparents, for more than 50 excruciating days,” the Forum said. 

The group also used the release of the report as a basis for issuing another call to the Israeli government to do whatever necessary to return the hostages. 

Health Ministry Director Moshe Bar-Siman-Tov said, "This critical report underscores the urgent need to release all hostages as swiftly as possible.”