Freed Israeli hostages show severe starvation and weight loss from Gaza captivity

Since the release of the last 20 Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, details have begun to emerge about their condition and the horrors they endured during their captivity. Like the previously released hostages, those who returned Monday appeared thin, suggesting they were not adequately fed.

Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped at the Nova music festival alongside his partner, Noa Argamani, was reportedly starved during his captivity and lost 30 to 40 percent of his weight, according to Israel’s Channel 12. The network also reported that official medical documents indicated that Or was “thin and very weak.” Ou was reportedly held in central Gaza in harsh conditions for most of the war, according to Channel 12.

Additionally, Or was allegedly held in solitary confinement for more than two years and did not meet any other captives until his release, according to The time of Israelwhich cited Israeli Channel 12. He also reportedly had little access to information and only learned about the IDF mission that led to the rescue of Argamani and three others after his release.

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Details about the hostages’ health and what they endured in captivity begin to emerge after their release. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

Elkana Bohbot, who was kidnapped while helping people evacuate the Nova music festival, was reportedly held in tunnels throughout his captivity, according to Channel 12. He was reportedly chained for much of that time and released on his wedding anniversary, when he was finally allowed to take a shower. Channel 12 said Bohbot suffered stomach pains upon his return because he was force-fed during the final days of his captivity. He also suffered from pain in his legs and lower back.

“Doctors are particularly concerned about the long-term effects of severe nutritional deprivation,” Professor Hagai Levine, head of the health team at the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, told Fox News Digital, highlighting the impact such deprivation can have on vitamin levels.

Besides vitamin deficiencies, doctors are also concerned about the possibility of hostages developing “refeeding syndrome,” which can be fatal if not treated properly.

“There have been cases where hostages were allegedly fed before their release to make them appear healthier in propaganda videos. Such rapid or forced feeding, after prolonged malnutrition, can be extremely dangerous. This is why medical teams in Israel are reintroducing food gradually and under close supervision to stabilize the body safely and prevent life-threatening complications,” it said. Levine.

Levine also said that months spent underground in tunnels caused the hostages to have “very low levels of vitamin D,” which can impact muscle function, bone strength and the immune system.

“These spaces are small, hot, humid and often lack ventilation or basic sanitation. There is no daylight, so the body loses its natural sense of time. Many were chained or unable to move freely,” Levine told Fox News Digital.

“Physically, this type of environment causes rapid muscle and bone loss, intense fatigue and a weakened immune system. Lack of sunlight leads to vitamin D deficiency, which affects bones, muscles and even mood. Breathing humid air can trigger respiratory infections and skin problems,” he added.

Unlike Or, Bohbot appeared to have access to certain types of media. Channel 12 reported that he saw family members pleading for his release in media reports from Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.

Israeli twins Gali and Ziv Berman, 28, were all smiles as they reunited after being liberated by Hamas on October 13, 2025. (FDI)

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Alon Ohel, who was kidnapped from a shelter after fleeing terrorists in Nova, was reportedly injured in the eye by shrapnel on October 7, 2023, which could lead to permanent vision loss, according to The Jerusalem Postwhich cited the Israeli media Maariv. The outlet also noted that it appears Ohel may be at risk of losing vision in his other eye.

Ohel’s parents said his left eye was in bad condition and his hands, chest and head were covered in shrapnel, causing him pain, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Levine said medical reports and testimonies from captivity survivors reveal that many hostages injured in the Oct. 7 attacks never received proper care. These injuries included burns, gunshot wounds and broken bones.

“Beyond those who were physically injured, almost all endured prolonged deprivation of medical care, even for common illnesses or pains, leading to infections, chronic discomfort and general physical decline,” Levine told Fox News Digital. “The absence of basic medical care for such a long period of time has had profound and lasting consequences on their health.”

Matan Angrest reportedly underwent a medical procedure on his hands and fingers without anesthesia, according to the Jerusalem Post, which cited N12, the online arm of Channel 12. This would have led to further complications.

Angrest was serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) when he was kidnapped while defending the Nahal Oz outpost. His mother, Anat Angrest, reportedly told Channel 12 that her son was subjected to “very severe torture” early in his captivity because he was a soldier, the Times of Israel reported. She also reportedly said that he had been held alone for a long period under special surveillance.

Lishay Miran-Lavi reunites with her husband Omri Miran after Hamas releases the remaining 20 living hostages on October 13, 2025. (FDI)

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Further details of what the freed hostages endured during their time in Gaza, as well as information on their health conditions, are expected to be made public over time.

Even though the 20 living hostages were returned to Israel, 24 bodies of deceased hostages remain in Hamas hands. The terrorist organization was supposed to return 28 bodies, but has so far released only four.

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On Tuesday, Israel identified two of the four deceased hostages as Binpin Joshi and Guy Iluz. The identities of the two other deceased hostages whose bodies arrived in Israel on Monday have not yet been made public.