Israeli military: ‘None of us can understand’ suffering of hostages

Tel Aviv, Jan 28, (dpa/GNA) – The Israeli hostages recently returned from Gaza, and those who had been held in tunnels were in worse condition than those held in houses, the Israeli military said on Monday.

Avi Benov, acting head of the Israeli Medical Corps, told reporters: “I believe none of us can understand what they went through.”

He declined to comment on possible abuse or torture of the hostages.

All of those released recently were injured during the October 7, 2023 attacks, most of them by shell fragments that were in some cases still in their bodies, he said.

Some of them had other serious injuries, he said, without providing details. “It will take a long time before they recover,” he said. No medical care had been provided to some of the women during their time in captivity, Benov said.

The hostages were malnourished and were initially receiving only small quantities of food high in carbohydrates, followed later by vegetables and proper food only after several days.

Benov said conditions for the hostages had improved in the days immediately preceding their release. They had been given better food and allowed to shower.

GNA