Israel Health Ministry report documents violence suffered by hostages in Gaza

While negotiations for the release of the 96 people – 34 of whom have been declared dead – still being held by Hamas in Gaza have not yet been completed, the Israeli ministries of health and welfare have just produced the first official report by Israeli officials on the conditions in which were held hostage.

Health Minister Uriel Buso said in a statement that it was a “significant report that describes the atrocities suffered by the hostages and reveals to the world the cruelty of the enemies we are dealing with.” Some of the details were published by TV channel Canal 12 and news site Ynet on Wednesday, December 25. The names, ages and family circumstances of the victims have been withheld to protect their identities.

Most of those interviewed were held for eight weeks and released as part of an exchange involving Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and the November 2023 ceasefire, which resulted in the release of 105 people, including 80 Israelis, of the 251 taken hostage on the day of the massacre led by Hamas on October 7. Another eight were released during Israeli army operations.

Sexual assault

Hostages reported suffering physical violence, including beatings. They were often confined in dark, cramped quarters, with their hands and feet tied and deprived of basic necessities such as food and water, as well as medicine, especially during medical procedures. Access to showers and toilets was limited. Some prisoners were branded by their guards, the report said. It also documents sexual assaults, including against children.

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