'Inhumane Conditions' Freed Hostage Sheds Light on Elkana Bohbot’s Captivity in Gaza

Elkana Bohbot, a 35-year-old Israeli hostage, is enduring horrific conditions in the Gaza Strip’s tunnels, according to a fellow hostage who was recently released. Channel 12 (N12) reported on Thursday that Bohbot, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, is being held in a narrow, damp tunnel 30 meters underground, with minimal space to stand or move.

The released hostage, who shared his testimony with Bohbot’s family, described the inhumane conditions of their captivity. Bohbot, who suffers from asthma, developed a severe skin disease due to the squalid environment. “Of course, he did not receive proper medical treatment,” the former hostage said, emphasizing the lack of basic healthcare and hygiene.

The hostages, including Bohbot, were forced to sleep on a moldy, damp sheet in the tunnel. The cramped space made it nearly impossible to stand or walk, exacerbating their physical and mental suffering. The released hostage recounted how he pleaded with their captors to free Bohbot, a father to a four-year-old son, instead of himself. However, the terrorists refused, demonstrating their disregard for humanitarian appeals.

Bohbot's situation underscores the brutal conditions faced by hostages in Hamas’s tunnel network, where the absence of medical care and basic necessities is the norm. The tunnels, often described as a labyrinth beneath Gaza, have become a focal point of both human tragedy and military strategy.

As the international community continues to call for the safe return of all hostages, Bohbot’s story highlights the urgent need for humanitarian intervention. His family, along with countless others, remains in a painful limbo, hoping for his safe release.

Israel stands firm in its commitment to bring every hostage home and to hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates to amplify the call for action and support Israel’s unwavering resolve to protect its citizens.