Hamas hostage’s parents reveal starvation, threats and abuse in shocking ordeal

Parents of four young Israeli hostages freed from Hamas captivity have shared horrific details of their daughters’ ordeal. The women, including three soldiers taken from the Nahal Oz army base on October 7, 2023, were held for over 15 months in harsh conditions. They were starved, intimidated, and forced to perform tasks like cooking and cleaning while being confined to underground tunnels and unsafe buildings. The women were subjected to physical abuse and forced to participate in propaganda videos.

The hostages’ treatment varied depending on their location, with some places providing better food than others. Despite the horrors, they found strength through shared stories, drawing, and journaling. Their families revealed that the women were constantly threatened by armed captors, who showed them little respect. One of the women, Agam, resisted by refusing to work on the Jewish Sabbath.

The parents also recalled how their daughters kept hope alive by finding ways to stay connected with the outside world. In one instance, Naama saw her father on television, giving her a sense of optimism. Despite their traumatic captivity, the women were able to stay resilient, and their families are now focused on their healing process.

The stories of the hostages continue to emerge as their full experiences remain too painful to recount. Their families are joining calls for an inquiry into what led to the attack and subsequent captivity.