The period of captivity for the abductees in Gaza has been shrouded in mystery until now, with details emerging through interviews with relatives, security officials and medical personnel. Little is known about what the three men and Noa Argamani went through during their time in captivity.
Israeli security officials initially asked the abductees and their families to keep the details of their captivity confidential at first. However, once the previously released abductees shared their full accounts of the abuse they suffered, it became clear that they had endured physical, mental and sexual torture during their captivity. A doctor treating them stated that despite initial positive assessments, they had undergone significant physical and mental trauma.
The successful rescue operation may prompt Hamas to change how they hide hostages but may not necessarily improve the conditions in which they are held according to Palestinian political commentator Younes al-Zourei. It remains unclear where the three male abductees were kept before being rescued, although it is believed that they were likely moved frequently to avoid detection. American intelligence officials are currently working with Israeli authorities to locate the missing individuals.
One day, during their captivity, the guards would tell them that no one cared about them or that no one would come to rescue them. But on this particular day, something changed when one of them recognized his face on signs in a crowd of protesters outside Tel Aviv calling for his release. It was also his birthday but he knew that kidnappers had a notebook to track every detail including his date of birth. This realization made him feel like he wasn’t completely forgotten according to Aviram Meir, Almog’s uncle.
