Freed Israeli hostages recount torture, starvation and two years in Gaza tunnels

The final Israeli hostages released from Gaza have described the unimaginable conditions they endured during more than two years in Hamas captivity – a haunting portrait of torture, starvation and survival emerging from hospital wards across Israel.

Avinatan Or, 32, whose abduction from the Nova music festival with girlfriend Noa Argamani was seen around the world, was held completely alone for 738 days. His father, Yaron Or, said he was beaten and chained after a failed escape attempt. “He was handcuffed to the bars,” he told Kan Radio. “It was a barred place 1.8 metres high – you can call it a cage. It’s a miracle they didn’t harm him.”

Medical reports found that Or lost up to 40 percent of his body weight during captivity. Upon his release, he asked to see Argamani – rescued in an IDF operation in 2024 – and the pair shared what they called their “first cigarette together after two years.”

Another freed hostage, Elkana Bohbot, 36, an organiser of the Nova festival, spent most of his time chained in a tunnel. He lost all sense of time and space but remembered his wedding day and pleaded to shower on the anniversary. His captors eventually allowed it – briefly removing his chains. He reportedly learnt of his family’s campaign for his release after glimpsing news footage smuggled into the tunnels.

The mother of 22-year-old soldier Matan Angrest said her son endured “very severe torture” in the early months of captivity. “He remembers being beaten so badly he lost consciousness,” Anat Angrest said. “They told him Israel had given up on them, that Hamas would conquer the country, that there would be another 7 October.”

He was held alone in a dark tunnel for long stretches, she added, as airstrikes caused walls to collapse around him. His captors also lied that his Holocaust-survivor grandparents were dead. Learning they are still alive has “motivated” him since returning home.

Omri Miran, 48, a father of two, was held in 23 different locations across Gaza – above ground and below. His brother Nadav said he sometimes cooked for his captors and even played cards with them. “He knew exactly what date it was and how many days he’d been there,” Nadav said. “He looks pale, but his humour is the same. It feels as though he never left.”

Twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, were held separately and unaware they would be reunited until the day of their release. They described fluctuating access to food and moments when their guards spoke Hebrew.

Another freed captive, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, was “force-fed” in recent weeks – a move believed to have followed international outrage after footage showed fellow hostage Evyatar David emaciated and digging his own grave.

As Israel celebrates the return of its final 20 living hostages, the stories emerging are a mix of trauma, resilience, and relief.

“They survived hell,” said one family member. “Now begins the long journey back to life.”