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Israeli Health Ministry Report to UN Reveals Hostages Endured Sexual Abuse, Psychological Torment & Starvation in Hamas Captivity
Edited by: Fern Sidman
The Israeli Ministry of Health has released a sobering and comprehensive report detailing the physical and psychological toll endured by hostages abducted during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023. This report, now being presented to the United Nations, serves both as a harrowing testimony to the suffering inflicted on hostages and a blueprint for their ongoing medical and psychological rehabilitation.
The Israeli Ministry of Health has divided the report into two critical sections. The first focuses on the brutal neglect, abuse, and torture suffered by hostages while in captivity, and the far-reaching consequences of these experiences on their mental and physical health. This section draws on interviews with medical teams who have been directly involved in treating the released hostages upon their return to Israel.
The Israeli Ministry of Health has published a report that documents the way that the Hamas Rapist Regime treated Israeli hostages in Gaza. There are horrific examples of violence, torture, and sexual assault. It’s difficult to read. @AshleyBakshi provides a summary. pic.twitter.com/6azocW4Rco
— Israeli Citizen Spox (@IsrCitizenSpox) December 29, 2024
The second section outlines rehabilitation models tailored to the unique needs of the hostages, utilizing insights from primary care nurses, physicians, and mental health experts who continue to provide care through specialized clinics. The Israeli Ministry of Health emphasizes that addressing both physical and psychological trauma is essential for survivors’ reintegration into society.
The Times of Israel noted that the Health Ministry’s report has been prepared in both Hebrew and English versions, though some discrepancies between the versions were identified. When questioned about these differences, The Times of Israel reports that an unnamed ministry source told the Ynet news site that it was an “honest mistake that will be fixed before the report is filed to the UN.”
To safeguard the privacy and dignity of the survivors, The Times of Israel indicated that the report maintains strict confidentiality protocols, withholding identifying details such as names, ages, family status, and in cases involving minors, gender information.
⚠️Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse⚠️
A new report from the Israeli Health Ministry details firsthand accounts of the unspeakable—violent sexual abuse of innocent Israeli children. This is what they mean when they say, “Resistance by any means necessary.” pic.twitter.com/DO70QXH7gu— Lizzy Savetsky (@LizzySavetsky) December 29, 2024
According to the report, the terrorist captors forced two minors to perform sexual acts on one another and compelled them to take off their clothes in front of them, touched their private parts, and whipped their genitalia.
The same two former hostages also reported that “they were held bound and were beaten throughout their captivity. Signs of binding, scars, and marks consistent with trauma were found,” the report says, as per the information in The Times of Israel report.
“Additionally, two young children had burn marks on their lower limbs,” the report adds. “One child stated that the burns were the result of a deliberate branding with a heated object. Both the child and adults who were with him in captivity described the incident as a purposeful branding event, not an accident. It was described as an extremely traumatic experience.”
The report also indicated that some hostages were kept for days in darkness, with their hands and feet bound, and received little food or water, as was indicated in The Times of Israel report. They were beaten all over their bodies, and some had hair pulled out.
“One of the returned hostages described being sexually assaulted at gunpoint by a Hamas terrorist,” the report says. “On several occasions, captors forced women of all ages to undress while others, including the captors, watched. Some women reported that the captors sexually assaulted them. In addition, some women reported that they were tied to beds while their captors stared at them.”
Israel has previously presented reports and released testimonies from hostages detailing sexual abuses in captivity, which Hamas has denied.
Some former hostages have spoken publicly. The report in The Times of Israel said that earlier this year, freed hostage Amit Soussana told The New York Times of how she was forced to perform “a sexual act” on one of her captors.
Out of the initial 251 hostages, 96 remain in Gaza. Among them are the bodies of at least 34 individuals confirmed dead by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Despite the horror, moments of hope emerged during a weeklong truce in late November, when Hamas released 105 civilians, according to The Times of Israel report. Four other hostages were freed in earlier operations, while Israeli forces successfully rescued eight hostages alive. Tragically, 38 bodies of hostages have also been recovered, including three who were mistakenly killed by Israeli forces as they tried to escape their captors.
When journalists refuse to report that Israeli women were raped by Hamas due to supposed lack of proof (there’s plenty), yet readily share figures from the Gazan Health Ministry (ruled by Hamas), it’s not integrity, it’s blatant bias. pic.twitter.com/9RrBIZqrhn
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) December 14, 2024
Survivors revealed that captors deliberately separated family members, intensifying the psychological torment. In one particularly appalling case, a woman was held in isolation, bound, and kept in complete darkness. She was provided with minimal water and food and was denied necessary medical treatment for her injuries.
Many hostages suffered severe medical neglect. Fractures, shrapnel wounds, and burns were treated with minimal care, often without anesthesia, causing unbearable pain and preventable complications, as was noted in The Times of Israel report. The report indicates that the captors denied hostages critical treatment for chronic illnesses such as heart failure, diabetes, and hypothyroidism. In one particularly tragic instance, a hostage succumbed to medical complications that could have been easily addressed with proper care.
Furthermore, the report in The Times of Israel detailed how captives endured brutal medical abuse, with captors performing agonizing procedures deliberately and without pain relief. This level of cruelty extended beyond the physical, serving as a method of psychological domination and control.
In what can only be described as calculated cruelty, children and adults alike were reportedly forced to watch footage of the October 7 atrocities, according to the information from the report that was cited by The Times of Israel. These videos, often filmed by the terrorists themselves, displayed scenes of unimaginable violence and suffering, further compounding the psychological trauma of the hostages.
Male hostages, in particular, faced systemic physical abuse. According to the information provided in The Times of Israel, based on the Health Ministry’s report, they were subjected to starvation, beatings, and burns inflicted with galvanized iron—essentially branded like livestock. Captors yanked their hair, confined them in cramped spaces, and kept them immobilized with their hands and feet tied for extended periods. They were denied access to basic sanitation facilities, forcing them to live in degrading conditions where they had to defecate on themselves.
The captivity of these hostages was designed not merely to restrain them but to systematically erode their humanity and willpower. Separation from family members, frequent arbitrary relocations, immobilization, and exposure to continuous violence created an environment of relentless psychological pressure, the report said as was cited in The Times of Israel. The torment was not random but calculated—intended to break the morale of the hostages and render them more submissive to their captors’ control.
Some captives were forced to witness the killing of fellow hostages—a psychological weapon that compounded their sense of helplessness and despair. Survivors recounted periods of prolonged solitary confinement, unsanitary conditions, severe medical neglect, sleep deprivation, starvation, and relentless threats of violence, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health’s report as cited in The Times of Israel. Psychological torment was exacerbated by deliberate exposure to propaganda and brainwashing, further eroding their resilience and pushing them into a state of mental submission.
Citing the report, The Times of Israel said that approximately half of the released hostages described being systematically starved throughout their captivity. They were subjected to a meager diet that failed to meet basic nutritional needs, leading to persistent hunger, physical weakness, and long-term health repercussions. This starvation was compounded by confinement in dark spaces, which heightened the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
On average, adult hostages lost between 8 and 15 kilograms (18 to 33 pounds)—a devastating 10-17% of their body weight. The situation was equally dire for child hostages, who experienced an average weight loss of 10%. In one especially heartbreaking case, a young girl lost up to 18% of her body weight.
The Times of Israel report highlighted a disturbing phenomenon that emerged as ceasefire negotiations gained traction. In the days leading up to their release, some hostages were abruptly given larger quantities of food and clean clothing. This sudden shift appeared to be an attempt by their captors to create a misleading impression of humane treatment.
However, the abrupt increase in food intake posed its own set of dangers. Based on the report, The Times of Israel cited the risk of Refeeding Syndrome—a potentially fatal condition caused by the rapid reintroduction of food after prolonged malnutrition. Electrolyte imbalances, including hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia, were reported, posing significant health risks, particularly to elderly hostages and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Israeli authorities, as reported by The Times of Israel, remain deeply concerned about the fate of the remaining hostages who have been held for over 440 days. There are fears that captors may again resort to pre-release overfeeding, putting vulnerable individuals at further risk of life-threatening complications.
The torment endured by the hostages did not end with their return home. Survivors, both adults and children, continue to battle severe psychological aftershocks, including acute anxiety, frequent panic attacks, and severe mood swings marked by deep depression.
For some, these anxieties manifested in profound behavioral changes. Hostages reported being unable to leave their homes or speak above a whisper—a reflection of the silence imposed on them by their captors. Some survivors, still haunted by their experiences, struggled to reintegrate into their former lives, unable to return to work, school, or social activities.
As reported by The Times of Israel, former hostages continue to face severe difficulties sleeping at night. Children, in particular, suffer from sharp, unexplained pains that elude medical diagnosis. Sleep deprivation is a recurring issue, exacerbated by recurring nightmares that replay the horrors of captivity. In their attempts to escape these traumatic dreams, some hostages intentionally avoid sleep altogether, leading to further physical and emotional exhaustion.
Some survivors suffer from derealization—a psychological condition where individuals struggle to accept their current surroundings as real. Many returned hostages described moments in Israeli hospitals where they felt as though they were still trapped in captivity, with their safe surroundings perceived as little more than an extension of their nightmare. Certain foods and smells became powerful triggers, pulling them back into memories of their imprisonment.
Food, a seemingly simple element of daily life, has become a significant source of distress for many former hostages. The Times of Israel reported widespread eating disorders among survivors. Some eat far too little, their appetites suppressed by the trauma of prolonged starvation. Others overeat compulsively, driven by the fear of future deprivation.
Among child hostages, the health ministry report reveals a troubling pattern: many have taken to secreting food away, hiding it in their rooms or pockets as if preparing for another period of scarcity. This behavior zeroes in on the deep psychological scars left by their captors’ deliberate use of starvation as a tool of control and punishment.
Even in the safety of hospitals or their homes, many returned hostages remain in a state of heightened vigilance. According to The Times of Israel, survivors exhibit signs of severe anxiety, emotional detachment, and confusion. Some remain confined to their rooms, even in secure hospital wards, paralyzed by an irrational but deeply ingrained fear of danger lurking just beyond the door.
Doctors and psychologists cited by The Times of Israel emphasize that recovery is a long and delicate process, made infinitely harder by the knowledge that many hostages are still in captivity. Survivors report feeling unable to fully heal while their friends and family members remain trapped in Gaza.
The emotional toll on those who were released is compounded by what The Times of Israel described as “survivor’s guilt.” This phenomenon manifests as feelings of deep shame and responsibility for being freed while others remain behind. Survivors question why they were spared and whether they could have done something—anything—to change the fate of those still suffering.
These feelings are especially acute in cases where family members or close friends remain captive. The Times of Israel noted that this guilt often hampers emotional recovery, as survivors carry an invisible weight that therapy and counseling cannot easily lift.
Israeli Health Minister Uriel Busso described the report as a “harrowing testimony” of the unimaginable cruelty inflicted on hostages by Hamas terrorists. Busso urged the global community to take decisive measures to ensure the safe and immediate return of all remaining hostages. “These actions cannot be tolerated and demand that the world awaken and take action,” he stated, emphasizing the moral and humanitarian imperative of securing the hostages’ release.
Busso also called on the United Nations and international organizations to use every tool at their disposal to pressure Hamas and its supporters. “It is a moral and humanitarian imperative, and the time to act is running out,” he warned.
Moshe Bar-Siman-Tov, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Health, emphasized the extraordinary mobilization of Israel’s healthcare system at the onset of the war. Medical professionals across the country sprang into action to address the acute physical and psychological wounds suffered by hostages upon their return.
“The healthcare system mobilized immediately at the onset of the war to treat the many wounded, both physically and psychologically, and to care for those returning from captivity,” Bar-Siman-Tov explained.
He reiterated the urgency of securing the release of the remaining hostages, emphasizing that every moment spent in captivity exacerbates their already dire conditions. “We view it as both a responsibility and a privilege to provide optimal medical care and support for those who were brutally kidnapped by Hamas militants,” he said.
Bar-Siman-Tov concluded with a poignant appeal: “We are hop
eful for the return of all hostages—the living for treatment and rehabilitation, and the deceased for a dignified burial in Israel.”
Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, Head of the Medical Directorate at the Israeli Ministry of Health, highlighted the relentless efforts of medical teams who have worked tirelessly since the onset of the conflict. She called attention to the devastating toll of captivity, revealing the unimaginable physical and psychological suffering endured by the hostages.
“From the outset, the healthcare system has been entrusted with the care of those who were cruelly kidnapped by Hamas,” Dr. Mizrahi said. She described the firsthand accounts provided by released hostages as a chilling window into the atrocities committed behind closed doors.
Dr. Mizrahi stated unequivocally that the condition of those still held captive is extremely severe. “Based on the testimonies we have received, I can confidently state that the physical and mental condition of all hostages still held in Gaza is dire. It is imperative that all efforts be made to act and bring them back,” she asserted. “Without the release of the hostages, families and communities will be unable to heal and return to their daily routines,” she added.
The Times of Israel also cited a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which describes the report’s findings as evidence of a “grim reality of the physical abuse and psychological torment” endured by the hostages. The Forum has called for an immediate and comprehensive deal to secure the release of all remaining captives.
The Forum’s plea serves as a stark reminder that the crisis is far from over. While the physical chains may have been removed from those who returned, the psychological chains remain firmly in place, binding survivors to their trauma and preventing them from fully stepping back into their lives.
Therapists and medical professionals highlighted by The Times of Israel stress that long-term mental health care will be essential for many of the former hostages. Each survivor’s journey will be unique, marked by its own challenges and milestones.
The report, as presented by the Israeli Ministry of Health, is more than a collection of testimonies—it is a moral indictment of those responsible for the atrocities and a clarion call for immediate global action. The suffering detailed in the report demands accountability and urgent intervention to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The global community must rise to meet this moral challenge. The lives and dignity of those still held captive hang in the balance, and time is running out. The world cannot afford to look away. The voices captured in the Israeli Ministry of Health report must not only be heard—they must compel action.
Here is the link to the Israeli Ministry of Health report in its totality: https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/news/28122024-01/en/subjects_oct-7th_hostages-health-122024-en.pdf
