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Signs of Severe Malnutrition

Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, Head of the Medical Division at the Israeli Ministry of Health, provided an update on their condition:

“They have returned home,” she said at the beginning of her statement. “They have come back after 491 days in which their most fundamental right—to live freely—was stolen from them. This morning, we witnessed the devastating effects of prolonged captivity, including severe malnutrition and drastic weight loss—a stark reminder of the hell they endured. These are painful and distressing images.”

Despite their suffering, Dr. Mizrahi noted their resilience: “It was deeply moving to see them walking, standing tall, with their heads held high—even as they passed through crowds of terrorists.”

The hostages are now reunited with their families and are receiving medical and psychological treatment. Dr. Mizrahi emphasized that the healthcare system is also providing emotional support to the families, who, for over a year, have been consumed with the mission to secure their loved ones’ release, often at the expense of their own well-being.

The Hostages’ Stories: Unimaginable Loss and Survival

Eli Sharabi, 53

Kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Be’eri, Eli lost his entire immediate family on October 7th—his wife Lian and daughters Yahel and Noya were murdered by Hamas terrorists. His brother, Yossi Sharabi, was also abducted that day. Yossi was later declared dead in captivity after being killed in an Israeli airstrike near the site where he was held. His body remains in Gaza.

Ohad Ben Ami, 56

Abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri, Ohad was shot and wounded while attempting to close the shutters of his home as Hamas terrorists advanced. His wife, Raz, who hid in a safe room, witnessed his abduction in horror. She was later kidnapped and taken to Gaza but was released in the first hostage deal.

Or Levy

Or was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7th. He had arrived at the festival with his wife, Einav, just moments before the attack. As chaos erupted, they sought shelter in what became known as “the death bunker.” Einav was murdered, while Or was dragged into captivity. Footage from that day shows him being forced into a Hamas vehicle alongside Elia Cohen and Hirsch Goldberg-Polin, on the road to Gaza.

Israeli Outrage Over Hamas’ Cynical Spectacle

Israeli officials expressed outrage over the disturbing images from Deir al-Balah, where Hamas turned the hostages’ release into a grotesque public display. The Israeli government conveyed strong protests to international mediators, condemning Hamas for gross violations of the agreement.

“We will not turn a blind eye to the horrifying scenes we witnessed today,” said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, as the Prime Minister remains in Washington for high-level talks.

Israeli Military Withdrawal and Hostage Deal Criticism

Under the terms of the ongoing agreement with Hamas, Israel is expected to carry out another military withdrawal tomorrow, pulling back from the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza and retreating from Salah al-Din Road—following a previous withdrawal from Al-Rashid coastal road, which enabled the mass return of terrorists to northern Gaza.

As part of the fifth phase of what has been widely criticized as a reckless hostage deal, the Israeli government today released 183 convicted Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons.

Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami before and after Hamas captivity.

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