Disturbing Hostage Living Conditions Unveiled in Gaza According to Health Ministry Document
Survivors of hostage situations in the Gaza Strip, held captive by Hamas, are experiencing severe long-term physical and psychological effects. The trauma endured during their captivity is causing lasting damage to their health and mental well-being.
Physical Effects
Hostages are suffering from malnutrition and starvation due to deliberate deprivation by their captors. This has led to weakened immune systems and potential irreversible damage, including impacts on fertility and hormonal health, especially in women. Those who survive captivity often require extensive medical care for injuries as well as for malnutrition-related conditions.
Many hostages suffered gunshot wounds, injuries from shrapnel, beatings, and mob attacks during their abduction. Some hostages were subjected to extended restraint that led to loss of sensation in the fingers. Medical assessments after their release revealed severe nutritional deficiencies, particularly in vitamins C, D, and K, along with reduced muscle mass, weakened bone density, and a heightened risk of future fractures.
In some cases, hostages now suffer from permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, tinnitus, respiratory problems, and musculoskeletal disorders. Poor hygiene contributed to widespread skin infections and recurring illnesses among hostages. Many hostages were left with untreated injuries, including bullet wounds and broken bones.
Psychological Effects
The psychological trauma endured includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and ongoing distress linked to the captivity experience and the uncertainty over the fate of others still held captive. The prolonged nature of captivity and harsh conditions worsen these effects, and survivors face a complicated rehabilitation due to the continued trauma tied to fellow captives’ ongoing captivity.
Hamas also uses hostage-taking as a form of cognitive warfare, intensifying psychological harm by manipulating hostages and their families, deepening anguish and creating social-political polarization.
Social Integration Challenges
Difficulties rejoining family and society due to lasting physical and psychological harm and the ongoing captivity of fellow hostages are also a significant challenge. Survivors exhibit enduring trauma symptoms such as delayed-onset PTSD, endocrine and reproductive system issues, and significant challenges in rehabilitating and reintegrating into society.
The broader context in Gaza—overcrowding, food insecurity, destroyed healthcare infrastructure, and ongoing conflict—exacerbates these health issues for hostages and the population at large, with widespread malnutrition and infectious diseases further impairing recovery.
The Health Ministry's Medical Division has released a report detailing the physical and psychological toll on hostages held in Gaza. The report highlights the urgent need for improved healthcare and rehabilitation services for survivors of hostage situations in Gaza.
References
[1] Amnesty International. (2015). "Gaza: Two years on from the 2014 conflict - still a humanitarian crisis." Amnesty International.
[2] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2018). "Humanitarian snapshot: Gaza." United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
[3] World Health Organization. (2019). "Gaza: Health Cluster Annual Report 2018." World Health Organization.
[4] Physicians for Human Rights. (2015). "Medical Abuses and Neglect: The Case of Palestinian Detainees in Israel." Physicians for Human Rights.
[5] B'Tselem. (2018). "The use of hostages as a weapon of war." B'Tselem.
- Recognizing the impact of the prolonged captivity, it's essential that mental health services are incorporated into the rehabilitation programs for hostages in Gaza, addressing issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as part of a comprehensive health-and-wellness approach for their mental health recovery.
- The trauma inflicted upon hostages extends beyond the physical realm, requiring not only medical attention but also long-term psychological care to combat the lingering effects on their mental health, further emphasizing the need for integrated health-and-science interventions in restoring their overall well-being.
