After the jubilation in Israel of the return of the last Gaza hostages, stories of their time in captivity, hidden away in tents and tunnels, are emerging. Some described being tortured and tormented, while others recalled moments of co-existence with their captors under extreme circumstances.
Avinatan Or, 32, was held alone for two years, starved and terrified. An initial medical examination found he had lost between 30% and 40% of his body weight. Upon release, he asked to spend time alone with his girlfriend Noa Argamani, who was freed by Israeli forces last year, sharing what they described as their 'first cigarette together after two years'.
Omri Miran, 48, a father of two and shiatsu massage therapist, was held in 23 different places in Gaza. According to his brother Nadav, 'Sometimes he would cook food for his captors, and they loved his cooking. He knew exactly what the date was and roughly what day it was. They spent most of their days playing cards with their captors.'
Elkana Bohbot, 36, spent most of his time chained in a tunnel, losing all sense of time and space. He insisted on being able to shower on his wedding day; his captors initially refused but eventually relented and removed his chains. He was able to view news of his family appealing for his release.
Matan Angrest, a 22-year-old soldier, experienced 'very severe torture' during his initial months in captivity, according to his mother Anat Angrest. 'He remembers being beaten so badly that he lost consciousness,' she told Channel 12. 'They covered him with black sacks and dragged him away.' He was confined in a small, dark tunnel for the last four months and subjected to psychological warfare, including lies that his grandparents, Holocaust survivors, were dead.
The accounts suggest there was a change of approach by Hamas to some hostages in recent weeks as negotiations over a ceasefire progressed. Ilan Gilboa-Dalal told Kan public broadcaster that her son Guy was held in a tunnel until a month ago, then taken for a ride around Gaza and not returned to the same location.
