Despite the intense isolation, torture, and starvation endured by Israeli hostages held by Hamas, many appear deceptively healthy when they return home. This phenomenon is attributed to hormonal processes in the body that can create a temporary surge of energy and euphoria, masking the trauma the hostages have suffered.
Sagui Dekel-Chen, one of the hostages released on February 15, 2025, was among those who displayed such outward energy. Chen, who had been held in Gaza for nearly 500 days, expressed overwhelming joy when learning that his wife, Avital, had given birth to their third child while he was in captivity. “I’m great, I’m great, I have a daughter,” he exclaimed to the media.
While Chen’s visible joy was genuine, experts explain that the apparent vitality he exhibited upon his release can be attributed to the body’s hormonal response to the trauma of captivity. Elevated adrenaline levels can induce a temporary feeling of euphoria and make individuals appear healthier and more energetic than they truly are. However, once this hormonal boost fades, the hostages will inevitably experience physical exhaustion and mental depression, as they confront the aftermath of their ordeal.
Dr. Noa Ziv, a medical expert from Schneider Children’s Medical Center near Tel Aviv, noted that while many of the first released hostages showed few immediate medical issues, they still faced significant challenges. “One can only speculate about the complex health and mental states the hostages will be in after 466 days of captivity,” she said, referencing the prolonged suffering endured by the latest group of freed hostages.
Medical professionals have warned that released hostages often suffer from long-term effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nutritional deficiencies, and memory loss. Many also struggle with mood instability and social reintegration.
In some instances, the severity of a hostage’s condition becomes apparent, and no hormonal boost can conceal the physical and emotional toll. U.S. President Donald Trump, upon viewing the condition of the most recently released hostages, remarked that they resembled Holocaust survivors due to their emaciated states. “They were in horrible condition. They were emaciated,” Trump said, expressing concern over the continued suffering of the hostages.
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