With negotiations to free the 96 people − 34 of whom have been declared dead − still being held by Hamas in Gaza yet to be finalized, the Israeli ministries of health and welfare just compiled the first formal report by Israeli officials on the conditions in which the hostages have been held.

Health Minister Uriel Buso said in a statement that it was a "significant report that depicts the atrocities that hostages suffered and reveals to the world the cruelty of the enemies we are dealing with." Some of the details were published by Canal 12 TV channel and news site Ynet on Wednesday, December 25. The names, ages and family circumstances of the victims were withheld to protect their identities.

Most of those interviewed were held for eight weeks and released as part of an exchange involving Palestinian prisoners held in Israel and the November 2023 ceasefire, which saw the release of 105 individuals, including 80 Israelis, out of the 251 taken hostage on the day of the Hamas-led massacre on October 7. Eight others were freed during Israeli army operations.

The hostages reported enduring physical violence, including beatings. They were often confined to dark, cramped spaces, with their hands and feet tied, and deprived of basic necessities such as food and water, as well as medicines, particularly during medical procedures. Access to showers and toilets was limited. Some captives were branded by their guards, the report states. It also documents sexual assault, including against children.

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