Torture, interrogation and isolation: the brutal conditions in which Israeli hostages were held by Hamas in Gaza

The Israeli press released parts of the first revelations of Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn and Sasha Troufanov to the authorities after their release this Saturday

Sagui Dekel-Chen, Iair Horn and Sasha Troufanov, who were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, endured brutal conditions during their nearly 500 days in captivity in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli television channels 12, 13 and Kan shared details last night about the testimonies of the hostages released on Saturday.

According to reports collected by these media, the three hostages experienced extremely cruel treatment, which included “physical abuse during his captivity.” They all showed signs of malnutrition at the time of their release and mentioned having learned some Arabic during their time in detention.

Channel 12 reported that Dekel-Chen was subjected to “torture during interrogation” by his captors, leaving visible scars on his body. For the first few weeks after his kidnapping, the outlet notes that he was held in a hospital in Gaza, along with other hostages, including Itzik Elgarat. Uncertainty was a constant element for Dekel-Chen, who was “totally unaware of the fate of his family” while he was a prisoner. According to the media, he “cried and feared the worst,” although he tried to maintain hope.

In another heartbreaking testimony reported by Kan, Dekel-Chen received unexpected news just before he was released. His captors told him that “a daughter had been born during his captivity and gave him earrings for his wife.” However, according to the outlet, he “did not believe this information until Israeli army representatives confirmed it after his release.”

For its part, the local press reports that Iair Horn was initially detained with his brother. eitan, although in the last weeks of captivity were separated. Kan The report also says that the Israeli citizen of Argentine origin was forced by his captors to record a video in which he mentioned Eitan, who is wounded in one leg. In his statement, Horn himself shared that during his kidnapping “He lost tens of kilograms of weight and received little or no medical attention.”

In addition, on Saturday, as part of the usual ceremony they carry out when releasing hostages, Hamas terrorists gave him “an hourglass with the image of Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is also still being held hostage.” This object has been handed over to the Israeli authorities.

The conditions of detention were also critical for Sasha Troufanov, who was completely isolated, as detailed Channel 12. This isolation lasted for weeks and it was only when he heard of a subsequent truce in November that he learned that his mother and girlfriend had been released, according to data from KanHowever, it was not until his recent release that the Russian-Israeli learned of the devastating news that her father had been murdered on October 7. According to the outlet, “the young man burst into tears upon hearing this information provided by representatives of the Israel Defense Forces.”

Throughout their captivity, it is mentioned that the hostages were held in Khan Younis, just a few hundred meters from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz. According to the media, Dekel-Chen and Horn spent part of their time in tunnels and shared their captivity with other hostages. Upon their release, they returned with information about at least three hostages who are still alive.

Despite the physical injuries sustained during the initial kidnapping, several of the testimonies collected highlight the resilience with which they faced their detention. According to Channel 12, when Dekel-Chen was released and questioned about an injury he received to his shoulder on the day of his capture, he responded to military personnel: “That’s not important; the most important thing is to reunite with my family.”

Kan reported that in the last few hours Dekel-Chen was able to reunite with her daughters, a long-awaited moment that marked an emotional turning point after weeks of uncertainty and suffering. The media also highlighted that the freed hostages They brought with them signs of life from other kidnapped people, information that authorities are now carefully analyzing as part of ongoing investigations.

The release of these three hostages This has allowed us to better understand the traumatic experience they endured and the extreme conditions in which they were held. Their statements not only contribute to the lifting of information barriers, but also serve to continue efforts to free other people held hostage by Hamas in this crisis that continues to mark Israel.

Source: INFOBAE