The State of Israel has submitted a detailed report to Ms. Alice J. Edwards, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, outlining severe abuses endured by hostages during captivity. The document provides extensive data on the physical, psychological, and medical consequences of hostage treatment, emphasizing the urgent need for international action.
The report highlights widespread physical and sexual violence experienced by men, women, and children held hostage. Victims reported beatings, forced nudity, branding, and other forms of abuse. Sexual assaults were reported against both genders, with some victims forced to undress while captors looked on.
READ: Hamas Publishes Heartbreaking Coerced Video Of American-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander
Children were not spared, with evidence of deliberate branding and physical abuse.
Medical neglect was a recurrent theme. Hostages were denied treatment for acute injuries such as fractures, shrapnel wounds, and burns, leading to complications requiring extensive medical intervention upon their release. Chronic conditions, including heart failure and diabetes, went untreated, resulting in severe health deterioration. In one case, a hostage succumbed to untreated medical complications.
Captors also reportedly inflicted intentional pain by performing medical procedures without anesthesia, compounding the physical and psychological trauma.
The report details the systematic starvation of hostages, with many losing 10-17% of their body weight, including one child who lost 18%. Poor nutrition resulted in sarcopenia, delayed wound healing, and cognitive impairments, particularly in children.
READ: Hamas Forms Joint Force To Combat Aid Looting In Gaza, Raising Concerns About Control
Unsanitary conditions exacerbated suffering, leading to infections such as dermatitis and gastrointestinal illnesses. Some returned hostages were diagnosed with Clostridium, Salmonella, and Q fever, among other conditions.
Psychological abuse was central to the captors’ strategy, with hostages subjected to isolation, threats, and exposure to violence. Many were taken from their homes after witnessing the murder of loved ones and transported under harrowing conditions. In captivity, hostages endured solitary confinement, starvation, verbal and physical abuse, and exposure to propaganda designed to break their morale.
The report describes significant mental health challenges among returned hostages, including mood swings, paranoia, dissociation, and survivor’s guilt. Many are struggling to reintegrate into society, with some expressing fears for loved ones still in captivity.
Israeli medical and psychological teams have implemented a two-phase recovery process, beginning with intensive treatment in hospitals and continuing with long-term care in the community. Longitudinal studies of former prisoners of war inform these efforts, emphasizing the importance of addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological impacts.
READ: Looting Of Aid Trucks Highlights Hamas’ Weakening Control In Gaza
The report stresses that full rehabilitation is hindered by the continued captivity of others, with many returned hostages expressing guilt and a desire to aid those left behind.
Israel’s submission underscores the need for international mechanisms to prevent such abuses, support victims, and hold perpetrators accountable. The report includes recommendations for improved global responses to hostage-taking as a form of torture, emphasizing the importance of tailored treatment and long-term support for survivors and their families.
The harrowing accounts presented in the report serve as a stark reminder of the physical and psychological toll of captivity and the need for concerted global efforts to address such atrocities.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.