Orly Gilboa stated that her daughter Daniella was finally properly fed in the months leading up to her release. Parents of the four young female Israeli hostages who were recently freed from Hamas captivity in Gaza shared with the BBC the abuse their daughters endured, which included starvation, intimidation, threats from armed men, and being forced to cook and clean. The hostages were held in underground tunnels and buildings, witnessed physical abuse, and were made to participate in Hamas propaganda videos. The women found strength through sharing stories, drawing, and keeping a diary. The full details of their ordeal are still emerging, as some information is being withheld to protect the hostages still in Gaza.
Three of the four women were female soldiers kidnapped by Hamas from the Nahal Oz army base. The parents mentioned that the hostages’ access to food and their treatment varied during the 15 months they were held captive, with some locations providing better food than others. The women endured significant weight loss, with Daniella mentioning that she would have looked like the male hostages released earlier if she had been freed two months earlier.
The parents also described how their daughters coped during captivity through drawing, note-taking, and sharing stories. The hostages dreamt about simple things they wanted to do once they were free, like getting a haircut and eating sushi. The families are now supporting the women in their recovery process as they adjust to life back in Israel.