What happened to the hostages during 491 days in hell of Gaza? With the return of Ohad Ben Ami, Ori Levi, and Eli Sharabi from Hamas captivity on Saturday, new details are emerging about their harrowing ordeal, both psychologically and physically, as evidenced by the images that shocked the world.
The three hostages were held in severe conditions, according to their testimonies. For most of their captivity, they were given very little food kept in underground tunnels without exposure to daylight. They stated that they had no way of knowing whether it was summer or winter outside.
Their access to media was extremely limited, with Al Jazeera being the primary source of news they were exposed to. They were given very little food, and even when they did receive meals, the nutrition provided was insufficient to meet their bodily needs, leading to extreme weight loss.
The hostages recounted that in the days leading up to their release, they were given slightly more food in an apparent attempt to create the illusion that their captivity conditions had been adequate. However, when they emerged, they appeared frail and emaciated, reflecting the true reality of their ordeal.
According to a source at Sheba Medical Center, Levi and Sharabi were unaware that their family members had been murdered. Levi's wife, Einav, was killed in the "death shelter" at the Nova festival, while Sharabi's wife and three daughters were also murdered. The body of his brother, Yossi, is still in Gaza. The two were informed of their loved ones' fate by psychologists who spoke to them at the reception point in Re'im.
Professor Gil Fire, deputy medical director of Ichilov Hospital, has stated in regards to Ohad Ben Ami, who was hospitalized in Tel Aviv:
"Ohad met with his wife, Raz, and his family today. An initial medical assessment indicates that he returned in severe nutritional distress and has lost a significant amount of body weight," Fire said. "It is clear to us that his external appearance reflects additional physical effects, which we will assess in the coming days. However, we have encountered a man of remarkable spirit, surrounded by a strong and supportive family that we are confident will help him, and us, on his path to recovery. We will continue to support them at the hospital for as long as necessary. The condition of Ohad and the other hostages who returned today underscores the urgency of securing the immediate release of those who remain in captivity."
Dr. Yael Frenkel-Nir, director of the General Hospital at Sheba Medical Center and head of the Sheba hostage return operation, issued a statement regarding the medical condition of hostages Ori Levi and Eli Sharabi, following their reunification with their families at Tel Hashomer.
"The consequences of 491 days in captivity are evident on the faces of those who arrived at Sheba today, and their medical condition is poor," she said. "This time, the situation is more severe than that of previous hostages who were released. Such deplorable conditions have dire health consequences. The prolonged captivity has led to a significant deterioration in their condition, which raises profound and urgent concerns for those who remain held."
Earlier today, Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Health Ministry's medical division, commented: "This morning, we all witnessed clear signs of severe malnutrition, illustrating the hell that the released hostages endured. We saw significant weight loss, an extremely difficult sight for the families of the hostages and for all of us."
The family of Ori Levi, who survived captivity, released a statement after his return:
"Our hearts tremble, and our minds refuse to believe the sight of Ori's face, returning to us in such a devastating state. His face tells the world the hell he endured for 491 days at the hands of Hamas' monsters. Words can hardly contain the overwhelming emotions we are experiencing in this moment—immense pain, excitement, relief, tears of joy mixed with deep sorrow for the time stolen from us."
"And amid all this emotion, our thoughts turn to Einav, of blessed memory, Almog's mother, who was murdered on that cursed day. We believe she is looking down now, finding solace in seeing Almog finally embraced by his father. Her memory and legacy will always be with us."
"We extend our deepest gratitude to the people of Israel for their unwavering support, warm embrace, and companionship throughout this painful journey. This period has left deep scars, and our hearts are still learning to accept that the nightmare is over. We truly appreciate the concern and love, but at this sensitive time, we kindly ask everyone to respect our privacy and grant us the quiet we need."
Ori's mother, Geula, told Israeli Channel 12 News: "They were in tunnels with little food. He had no access to the media at all. He knows what happened in the shelter."
Geula shared that due to the lack of communication, Ori was unaware of the tragic fate of Almog Sarusi and Hirsch Goldberg-Polin, who were murdered in captivity and whose bodies were later returned to Israel. "He asked about Hirsch; he thought he had been released. He also asked about Almog. He shared the heroic story of Aner Shapira, may his memory be a blessing, who fought the terrorists in the shelter. He couldn't see what happened to Einav [his wife, who was murdered]."
