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Families of Israeli hostages released by Hamas as part of the cease-fire agreement found their loved ones had undergone dramatic physical transformations during their more than two years in captivity.
The horror story of the torments endured by the 20 remaining living hostages freed Monday was clearly visible by their changed appearances, including shocking weight loss, sun-kissed complexions turned sickly pale, muscular physiques atrophied by inactivity and their once full, healthy faces now appearing gaunt and pallid.
Though many of the families ripped apart by the terror group have now been reunited, the former captives, despite their smiles and tears of relief now that the worst of their nightmare is over, have a long road to recovery ahead of them after 738 days of mistreatment and squalid confinement.
Evyatar David
Evyatar David, 24, was embraced by his jubilant parents two years after being taken hostage at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Haunting images of his time in captivity came to symbolize the cruelty of Hamas, who forced the emaciated hostage to dig his own grave.
A five-minute clip released in August showed David, his ribs protruding through the skin of his pale torso, standing in a narrow tunnel and holding a shovel.
“I haven’t eaten for a few days in a row,” David said in the harrowing footage.
“This is the grave I think I’m going to be buried in. Time is running out.”
Images of him taken before his kidnapping show him with a healthy glow and a lean, muscular frame. Although he maintained the same broad smile post-release, he appeared frail and sun-deprived in photos of him arriving at Beilinson Hospital in central Israel on Monday.
Eitan Horn
One of the most jarring physical transformations was that of Eitan Horn, who was working security at the Nova festival on Oct. 7 when he was taken hostage.
His family was told by a freed hostage in February that their missing son had taken the role of “spokesman to the captors” which helped lift the spirits of his fellow detainees.
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Horn underwent a significant weight loss during his time in captivity, his stocky build melting into a much leaner figure, photos of him upon being released show.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal
Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 24, went to the Nova music festival with his brother, Gal, who escaped as Hamas unleashed their cowardly attack. Guy, however, was not so lucky, and was taken captive by the marauding terrorists.
Photos of him before his ordeal showed him broad-shouldered and tan, with a carefree tousled hairstyle. As he made his way to the hospital after his release, he appeared thin and pale, with a close-cropped haircut.
