Israel-Hamas war: Details begin to emerge of life in captivity after some hostages are freed

People await the arrival of a helicopter enroute with Israeli hostages released earlier by Hamas arriving at Schneider medical centre on the third day of the temporary truce where they disembarked behind screens as family and friends wait nearby on November 26, 2023 in Petah Tikva, Israel. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

In the three days since Israel and Hamas declared a truce, 58 hostages have been released and details are beginning to emerge about their nearly two months of captivity inside Gaza. 

While information about the conditions has been tightly controlled, family members of the victims have begun sharing details about their loved ones’ experiences. Most of the freed hostages, though understandably shaken, appear to be in stable condition. 

One woman said her cousin and aunt, Keren and Ruth Munder, were fed irregularly having eaten mainly rice and bread, and lost around 15 pounds in just 50 days. Her family members said they had slept on rows of chairs pushed together in a room that looked like a reception area and had to wait hours before going to the bathroom.