Hostages who returned from Hamas captivity in Gaza suffered from a myriad of medical and psychological conditions as a result of their imprisonment, with many enduring starvation, sexual abuse, beatings, and more, a Health Ministry report revealed on Saturday, December 28.
The Health Ministry also detailed several successful rehabilitation stories based on information collected from professionals who have been providing ongoing care to the returned hostages, who are referred to by pseudonyms in the report.
According to the report, women, men, and children who returned from captivity were subjected to a variety of abuses, including beatings, isolation, deprivation of food and water, branding, hair-pulling, and sexual assault.
Many hostages were subjected to torture by withholding medical attention, and at least one hostage is believed to have died from untreated medical complications. Several older returned hostages developed Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) due to lack of mobility, which, if not treated properly, can be fatal.
Further, in addition to starvation, returned hostages reported that the food and water they had access to were of poor quality, leading to multiple cases of malnutrition and illness. Doctors who treated the hostages expressed concern that the released children may suffer long-term effects on their development and growth.
Returned hostages reportedly lost an average of 10-17% of their body weight. In extreme cases, children lost up to 18% of their body weight and required intensive care upon return. (JPost / VFI News)
“Our Heavenly Father, we pray in Yeshua’s name for all the hostages who were held and those who are still in Hamas’ captivity. We pray that You comfort them and give them hope that their current circumstances will not be permanent. Help them enjoy health, love, and peace soon. Please, heal their physical and mental wounds, and protect them from the viciousness of the terrorists, and the memories they already have of the tortures. Do not let Your hand leave them and please ensure the release of all the hostages who are still in captivity.”
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Originally posted on vfinews.com
