Grim Testimonies Emerge from Freed Israeli Hostages Held by Hamas

The newly freed Israeli hostages have shared harrowing accounts of their captivity under Hamas, revealing the brutal conditions they endured during their prolonged imprisonment. Families of the released captives have described the severe physical and psychological toll their loved ones suffered, with accounts of extreme malnutrition, forced confinement, and mental torment.

Keith Siegel, one of the recently freed hostages, recounted how he lost a significant amount of weight due to starvation. His family revealed to N12 News that Siegel was never fed on a regular schedule, often left hungry, and even had to eat meat—against his lifelong vegetarian beliefs—just to survive. In a brief moment of hope, Siegel learned from a smuggled radio broadcast that his son had survived the October 7 attack.

Ofer Kalderon, another released hostage, also managed to listen to radio broadcasts during his captivity. He described how he learned about his son’s survival only shortly before his release. For weeks, he endured isolation, psychological abuse, and harsh physical conditions, including being locked in a cage for some time.

The testimonies highlight the deeply traumatic nature of the hostages' captivity. Many were forced into dehumanizing conditions, such as being confined to small cages and denied basic hygiene. They were given cloths soaked in cold water instead of showers, and some lost over 30 pounds due to severe malnutrition. Others were subjected to psychological abuse, including forced statements thanking their captors and being made to record staged messages for their families—often including farewell videos, as they did not know whether they would be released or executed.

Hamas reportedly increased the hostages' food portions just before their release, likely in an attempt to make them appear healthier. However, the hostages were still coerced into filming messages that would serve Hamas' propaganda. These revelations shed light on the depths of psychological manipulation and the cruelty the hostages faced during their captivity.

The details surrounding the hostages' mistreatment also reveal that Hamas frequently moved them between different locations to avoid detection by Israeli forces. Those freed, including Siegel, Kalderon, and Yarden Bibas, spent a staggering 484 days in captivity, enduring lasting physical and psychological scars.

The Bibas family, which has been actively campaigning for the return of their loved ones still in Hamas captivity, expressed a mixture of relief and continued hope. They announced that they will not stop until the remaining hostages, including Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, are freed. The family’s statement emphasized that "every single minute matters" as they continue their fight for justice.

Similarly, Gadi Moses, another freed hostage, shared his terrifying experience of being released through a crowd of terrorists and Gazans. While he was deeply traumatized, Moses demonstrated resilience, using mental techniques and routines to stay sane and maintain his health during his time in captivity.

As Israel continues its efforts to secure the return of all hostages, families like that of Moses and Kalderon stress the urgency of bringing every captive home—not just for the families, but for Israel's collective healing and solidarity.