According to a medical report that was released recently by the Health Team of the Hostages and Missing Family Forum, there has been an alarming deterioration in the physical and mental health of the 24 living Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza in Hamas captivity, Arutz Sheva reported.
By Rachel Avraham
According to a medical report that was released recently by the Health Team of the Hostages and Missing Family Forum, there has been an alarming deterioration in the physical and mental health of the 24 living Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza in Hamas captivity, Arutz Sheva reported. Of the 24 living hostages, signs of life have been received for 20. The rest of the 56 hostages are believed to be dead.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the report, which included testimony from recently returned hostages, videos published by Hamas, and information from the families, revealed that the Israeli hostages presently being held in Gaza suffer from physical and psychological torture, including choking, binding, hanging by the feet, burns, and deliberate starvation; detention in dark tunnels without natural light or air, while shackled in chains; severe shortages of food, water, and medical care, leading to malnutrition, extreme exhaustion, and deterioration in health.
According to the report, at least eight of the hostages are described as having significant injuries, and five suffer from chronic illnesses or acute allergic reactions, which has exasperated the horrific conditions in which they are presently being held in Gaza. The report stressed that for wounded and ill hostages in Gaza, “each additional day in captivity may be fatal.”
Arutz Sheva claimed that most are held in underground tunnels without daylight, fresh air, or basic living conditions. Some of the recently released hostages testified that hostages were forced to witness incidents of physical and sexual abuse of others. The Jerusalem Post reported that several captivity survivors also reported how hostages identified as or believed to be soldiers experience worse torture, as well as prolonged isolation, sleep deprivation, and frequent beatings.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Alon Ohel, 24 years old, is said to have been seriously injured by shrapnel in his right eye and can only see shadows. According to the report, Ohel also suffered from shrapnel injuries to his hands, shoulder, and neck. The Jerusalem Post claims that he is being held in chains, under extreme isolation, without daylight, and with severe food shortages. According to these testimonies, Ohel has been alone in captivity after the release of phase one hostages.
According to the testimony of a released hostage, the Jerusalem Post reported that Yosef-Hhaim Ohana, 24, suffers from severe gastrointestinal sensitivity, caused mainly by spoiled food and poor sanitary conditions in captivity. According to the report, he frequently experiences vomiting and severe diarrhea, sometimes to the point of losing consciousness. The Jerusalem Post added that he has also endured severe physical violence, psychological abuse, prolonged starvation, extremely poor hygiene conditions, and a significant loss of weight.
According to the report, Matan Angrest, 21, was shown in a February 2025 Hamas video with suspected permanent damage to his right hand, facial asymmetry, and a broken nose, apparently as a result of torture. “The testimonies and the video raise concerns of bone damage and neurological injury, as well as serious mental harm,” the report added. The Jerusalem Post reported that released hostages said Angrest is being held in small cells resembling cages with bars and that he undergoes regular interrogations involving torture.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Rom Braslavski, 21, has suffered from asthma since childhood, as well as from a severe allergy that can cause skin rashes, itchy eyes, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. According to the report, he also reportedly suffers from severe scoliosis and chronic back pain and wears glasses, which are not in his possession.
According to testimonies received by the family of Guy Gilboa, Dalal, 23, is bound by his hands and feet, sometimes with a bag over his head, for days, the Jerusalem Post reported. According to the report, he is starved, receiving only minimal food in total darkness, without knowing what he is eating. He is allowed to shower only once a month, using a bucket.
Prof. Hagai Levine, Head of the Health Team, told Arutz Sheva: “When examining the health of all the hostages together, a horrifying picture of life in hell is revealed. All of the hostages are subjected to inhumane physical and psychological torture and are at risk of death. Every one of them is a humanitarian case and must be rescued urgently.”
Photo from Yossipik: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_war_hostage_crisis#/media/File:Blindfolded_teddy_bears_covered_with_red_blood_stains_2.jpg
