A fter 498 days in captivity, three Israeli hostages—Sagui Dekel-Chen, Sasha Troufanov, and Iair Horn—were released from Gaza on Saturday, revealing harrowing details of their imprisonment under Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The men, all abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023 attack, endured physical abuse, prolonged isolation, and psychological manipulation. Their release, facilitated through Qatari and Egyptian mediation, came after Hamas initially threatened to halt hostage releases, accusing Israel of failing to meet aid obligations.
Torture, Deprivation, and Psychological Manipulation
While Dekel-Chen and Horn were held by Hamas, Troufanov was in the custody of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The three men, though visibly thin and weak, appeared in better physical condition than previously released hostages who were severely emaciated.
Dekel-Chen, a dual Israeli-American citizen, was captured while defending his community. He was initially held in a Gaza hospital, where he endured torture and harsh interrogations that left scars on his body. He was shot in the shoulder during the October 7 assault and received minimal medical attention.
Horn, separated from his brother Eitan early in captivity, was coerced into filming propaganda videos. He lost 10 kilograms (22 pounds) and, like the others, was denied basic medical care. Upon his release, his captors handed him an hourglass with the image of Einav Zangauker, an activist advocating for the hostages’ return.
Troufanov, held in complete isolation, emerged from captivity to learn of his father’s death in the October 7 attack. Despite being cut off from outside communication, he managed to hear a radio broadcast during a previous ceasefire, informing him that his mother and girlfriend had been freed months earlier.
Reunion with Families Amid Lingering Trauma
Upon their return to Israel, the hostages reunited with their loved ones in emotional scenes at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center and Sheba-Tel Hashomer Medical Center. Dekel-Chen, who was unaware his wife had given birth during his captivity, was overcome with emotion upon learning his newborn daughter’s name: Shachar Mazal, meaning "Dawn of Luck."
The release marks another step in the ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations, with 14 more captives slated for freedom. However, Hamas has indicated that eight of them are already dead. The ongoing efforts to secure the return of all Israeli hostages continue, with pressure mounting on international mediators.
So far, a total of 19 Israeli hostages have been freed under the current truce, adding to those released in previous agreements or rescued in military operations. The conflict has claimed the lives of many captives, including those mistakenly killed by Israeli forces while attempting to flee their captors.
Israel continues to demand the unconditional return of all remaining hostages, while global diplomatic efforts push for a lasting resolution to the crisis.
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