Hostages speak out: "They did not see daylight, they were starved and abused" 

Ohad Ben-Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy, released Saturday after 491 days in Hamas captivity, returned to Israel deeply scarred by both physical and mental trauma.

According to their initial testimonies, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy were confined to a tunnel throughout their captivity, with no exposure to the outside world or media. They were unaware of the October 7th massacre and its aftermath.

It was only during the final week of their captivity that Hamas began providing them with more food, likely an attempt to mitigate the effects of prolonged starvation and the human rights violations they endured.

The release images of the three hostages confirm the severe abuse they suffered. Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Health Ministry's General Medicine Division, stated: "They have suffered significant malnutrition, which illustrates the horrors that they endured. These are difficult images for both the families of the returning hostages and the families of those still awaiting their loved ones."

Upon their return, the three hostages were immediately taken to the IDF reception center at Re'im for initial medical assessments and a reunion with their families. They were then airlifted to Ichilov Hospital and Sheba Medical Center for further treatment and recovery.

Or Levy, who was captured at the Nova music festival, expressed a desire to meet the parents of Aner Shapira, whom he last saw in a bomb shelter at Re'im. He also inquired about Hersh Goldberg-Polin, mistakenly thinking both he and Almog Sarusi had already been freed.