24 hostages in Gaza face imminent death, says leading physician

At a press conference held by the Hostages Families Forum on World Health Day, Prof. Hagai Levine, a prominent figure in the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians and a key advocate for the group, delivered a stark warning about the dire condition of hostages still held in Gaza. Levine, addressing the media, stated that the remaining living hostages—estimated at 24 out of the 59 captives held by terror groups—are at immediate risk of death. Drawing from a newly released report compiled from accounts of freed hostages, he revealed that one-third of those still in captivity are battling untreated injuries, illnesses, and diseases, their health deteriorating rapidly under horrific conditions.

Levine painted a grim picture of the hostages’ plight, describing them as confined in cages and tunnels, shrouded in darkness, with their hands and feet bound by chains. He detailed how they endure severe malnutrition, forced to plead for scraps of food and subjected to degrading treatment. “They’ve been trapped in this hell for 18 months,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “Any day could be their last.” His words echoed the desperation felt by families and supporters, some of whom protested in Tel Aviv on March 15, 2025, demanding a deal to secure the hostages’ release, as captured in images by AFP photographer Jack Guez.

The doctor’s report underscores a mounting humanitarian crisis, spotlighting the physical and psychological toll on the captives. With only 24 believed to still be alive, the clock is ticking for those languishing in Gaza’s terror-run enclaves. Levine’s plea on World Health Day serves as a call to action, urging swift intervention to save lives teetering on the edge. The Hostages Families Forum continues to press for resolution, amplifying the voices of those who’ve escaped to shed light on the torment endured by their fellow captives, whose survival hangs by a thread.