Following the rescue of four Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza, Dr. Itai Pessach, the doctor overseeing their medical treatment, revealed the harrowing conditions they endured during their eight months in captivity. The hostages were subjected to frequent physical and mental abuse, leaving a lasting impact on their health.
Dr. Pessach expressed concern over the malnourished state of the hostages, noting that they lacked essential nutrients like protein, resulting in muscle wastage and damage to other bodily systems. The hostages recounted being moved multiple times and facing unstable food and water supplies, with periods of severe food deprivation.
The combination of psychological stress, malnutrition, medical neglect, and confinement to limited spaces without access to sunlight took a toll on their health. Dr. Pessach compared their condition to previously released hostages, highlighting the intensified psychological trauma due to the prolonged duration of their captivity.
As the hostages endured uncertainty and lost hope of being released, their mental well-being deteriorated, leading to a breaking point. Dr. Pessach emphasized the profound impact of prolonged captivity on the hostages' physical and mental health.
