What It’s About
Recently freed Israeli hostages have been revealed to be in a state of severe malnutrition and physical depletion despite their seemingly reasonable appearances. Medical experts have highlighted the grave conditions these individuals sustained during their captivity under Hamas.
Why It Matters
The appearance of the rescued hostages contrasts sharply with their underlying health issues. This underscores the resilience of these individuals and the importance of understanding the severe conditions they faced, magnifying the inhumane treatment enacted by Hamas captors. It also highlights the vital role of ongoing medical rehabilitative care for their recovery.
The Details
Upon their return, there was an understandable wave of relief among Israelis, perceiving that the formerly abducted individuals looked unexpectedly well. However, Mittal Binyamin, a clinical nutritionist with Sheba Medical Center, emphasized that initial looks can be deceiving, as these hostages suffered from severe undernourishment and face an extensive rehabilitation process.
Starvation and Health Consequences
During their captivity, the hostages were subjected to extreme food deprivation, receiving merely a tenth of the necessary caloric intake and devoid of essential nutrients. Their diet was limited to minimalistic rations of dates and pita bread, scarcely providing the necessary proteins and other nutrients crucial for sustaining basic bodily functions.
Collapse of Physical Health
As a consequence, the hostages’ bodies had to break down muscle tissues to meet energy demands, leading to significant muscle depletion and loss of body strength. Binyamin explained that this extreme malnutrition resulted in the body consuming muscle tissue, which also includes essential internal organs, leading to a state where only loose skin remained without substantial muscle beneath.
Improvement in Conditions
Though conditions slightly improved at later stages of captivity, the food provided was still insufficient to regain health. The little gained weight was mostly fat, not conforming to the original muscle mass. Their returning bodies were malnourished and severely deficient in vitamins and minerals crucial for overall health.
Rehabilitation and Future Health Concerns
The effects of such prolonged malnutrition can lead to significant, lasting damage to internal organs and overall health. These individuals will require a lengthy period of rehabilitation to regain their health fully. However, experts at Sheba Medical Center are hopeful for their complete recovery, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive medical care and support.
This story was first published on jpost.com.