Recent testimonies from individuals released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, alongside medical assessments, starkly contradict claims by the militant group regarding the adequate feeding and humane treatment of hostages. Public concern has been amplified by social media posts, including one from Visegrád 24 which stated, > "Hamas claims that the hostages eat what they all eat, but that’s a lie. Just compare the arms of the victim and the terrorist." This assertion aligns with a growing body of evidence detailing dire conditions.
Released hostages consistently report a diet primarily consisting of rice and white bread, severely lacking in essential nutrients such as protein, fat, and vegetables. Many have exhibited significant weight loss, with some individuals losing as much as 20 kilograms during their captivity. Medical professionals have noted the risk of Refeeding Syndrome in these undernourished individuals, a potentially fatal condition that arises from reintroducing food too rapidly.
Beyond food deprivation, former captives describe widespread physical and psychological abuse, including isolation, lack of medical attention, and poor hygiene. Accounts reveal hostages were held in underground tunnels, deprived of daylight, and subjected to conditions described as an "underground hell." Some reports also indicate instances of forced labor and severe psychological trauma.
Hamas has utilized propaganda videos featuring hostages, sometimes filmed under duress, to control narratives and exert political pressure. Reports suggest that in some cases, captors provided more substantial food and allowed for improved hygiene shortly before a hostage's release, seemingly to present a better appearance to the public and international observers. This manipulation further underscores the discrepancy between Hamas's public statements and the reality of captivity.
Medical experts and human rights organizations have voiced grave concerns over the health and well-being of the hostages. Public health professor Hagai Levine, head of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, has warned that prolonged captivity under such harsh conditions leads to severe and potentially irreversible health deterioration. Amnesty International and other bodies have consistently called for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages, emphasizing the need for humane treatment and access to medical care in accordance with international law.