Hostages tortured, says Israel

Grim details of abuse, including sexual & psychological torment, whipping, branding with hot iron and isolation surface

Hostages held in Gaza were subjected to torture, including sexual and psychological abuse, starvation, burns and medical neglect, according to a new report by the Israeli Health Ministry that will be submitted to the United Nations this week.

Many continue to suffer even after they were released. Hamas has repeatedly denied abuse of the hostages.

This is the first formal report by the Health Ministry about the hostages' experiences in captivity. The report is based on interviews with the medical and welfare teams that treated more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages, most of whom were released in late November 2023, during a brief truce between Israel and Hamas.

Eight hostages were rescued by the Israeli military.