“Fear of execution”: Hamas hostages reveal details of their captivity

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Since Friday, 58 hostages have been released by Hamas in exchange for 177 Palestinian prisoners. Images of the releases went around the world. In the West Bank, Palestinians celebrated their loved ones in the streets. They in turn gave interviews in which they reported on their time in Israeli prisons. There was talk of medical neglect, solitary confinement and tear gas.

In Israel, the release of the hostages was less public. Footage shows them being reunited with their relatives, while Hamas videos show them being handed over to the Red Cross. Some wave at the Hamas fighters and laugh. Others look exhausted and confused.

Since then it has been quiet about the Israeli hostages. No interviews have taken place so far. It is unclear why those released have not yet spoken to the media. Information about her hostage situation has only been made public by a handful of family members.

Only pita and rice

One of the released is Ruthie Munder (78). She was handed over to Israel on Friday, along with her daughter and grandson. Merav Mor Raviv, a member of the family, told the New York Times that her relatives had lost up to eight kilos during the hostage situation, apparently having to eat only pita bread and rice. “They ate, but not regularly,” says Raviv. Whether this was intentional or a result of the food shortage in Gaza is unclear.

Raviv also told the Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Achronot” that her family did not always stay in underground rooms. “They were often taken to another location.” Sometimes they had to sleep on chairs pushed together. To go to the toilet, they had to knock on the guards’ door and wait – sometimes for up to two hours.

Thailand’s Vetoon Phoome (33), who was also released on Friday, appears to have received more food. Statements by his sister Roongarun Wichanguen suggest this. She told CNN that her brother was “very well taken care of.” “He said he was not tortured or attacked and that he was well fed.”

Adina Moshe (72) was also released on Friday. Her niece says: “Our aunt said they were scared when they were taken out of the tunnel; they thought they were being taken to be executed. It was only when they saw the Red Cross buses that they realized they would be released.

“Neither hurt nor humiliated”

Alon Ben-David is the senior correspondent for Israel’s Channel 13. In a live broadcast, he said that several released people reported that they were “neither injured nor humiliated.” Instead, the hostages spoke of “good treatment.” Hamas even tried to provide medicine on a daily basis, but not always with success. Alma Abraham (84), who was released on Sunday, had a previous illness that was not properly treated during the hostage situation. She is in critical condition.

Ben-David further reports that the hostages were kept together and spent a lot of time together. “They held meetings and lectures, told each other stories and carried out activities. They felt like they were a community.” However, the hostages were largely isolated from the outside world. Some were allowed to listen to Israeli radio and heard about the deaths of relatives. Others received such tragic news only after their release.

“They made sure we stayed clean”

The reports are consistent with what Hamas hostage Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, said in late October after shaking hands with a Hamas fighter following her release. She said at the time that Hamas had treated her “well.” “They were very friendly to us. They took care of all our needs and also made sure we were clean,” she said.

At first, many people did not believe that the hostages seemed to be doing well. Rumors circulated that Lifshitz was manipulated by Hamas or lied to her husband, who was still in captivity. But the information from the recently released hostages paints a similar picture.

Source: Blick