Doctors plea amid critical condition of hostages, "They might simply not wake up, time is running out"

The petition, led by Professor Naftali Stern from Ichilov Hospital, highlights the life-threatening conditions of the captives, stressing that "every minute counts" in securing their release. The doctors emphasized that their appeal is purely medical, not political, as they warn that the hostages are in critical health and their time is running out.

The petition was prompted by the release of three hostages on Saturday—Or Levi, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami—whose dire physical conditions shocked the public. The hostages had endured severe physical and mental abuse, including starvation. According to Professor Stern, "These people could simply not wake up one morning. Physically, their time is running out." He pointed out the dire state of Eli Sharabi, who was once a healthy man but now appears as a mere skeleton. Stern questioned what would have happened if Sharabi had been held captive for another two months.

The petition, which was directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, members of the political-security cabinet, and government ministers, urgently called for the expedited release of all hostages. The signatories stressed that those still held are no longer just in "difficult captivity" or under harsh conditions—they are facing life-threatening situations. The doctors emphasized that the physical, mental, and nutritional abuse suffered by the hostages poses an immediate danger to their lives.

Professor Zion Hagai, chairman of the Israel Medical Association, joined the call, saying that the horrific conditions seen in the released hostages left no doubt that the government must act immediately to bring the others home. "The returning hostages underwent physical, mental, and starvation abuse, and their condition indicates an immediate danger to the lives of all remaining hostages," Hagai said.

In their petition, the medical professionals make it clear that while they understand the cost of war, the current situation is different. "We have experienced wars as fighters and as doctors," the petition reads, "but this is not the situation before us. Israel has already emerged from immediate danger and has already struck its enemies hard, even if the work is not yet complete." The doctors believe there is no reason to delay the return of the hostages, especially as Israel is no longer under existential threat.

Professor Stern, who is a child of Holocaust survivors, concluded the petition with a powerful message: "Never again." He warned that if the hostages are not brought home soon, their survival is at risk. "This is not a political stance but a medical cry from doctors and health professionals. Every minute counts," he stated. "We warn publicly, and we will warn from every possible platform: those who are still alive will not survive. Their return cannot be delayed, neither by day nor by hour."