**Parents Speak Out About Hamas Hostage Ordeal**
Four young Israeli women were held captive by Hamas in Gaza for months. Their parents have spoken to the BBC about their daughters’ experiences.
The hostages, who were released during a ceasefire, were starved, intimidated, and threatened by armed men. They were also forced to cook and clean. The captors moved them around frequently, often keeping them underground with limited sunlight.
One of the hostages, Daniella, lost a significant amount of weight during her captivity. Her mother said she was given extra food to gain weight in the last two months. Another hostage, Romi, had lost 20% of her body weight when she was released.
The parents of the hostages are calling for an inquiry into what happened. They say their daughters remain concerned about the conditions of those still held captive and are urging the ceasefire to continue.
**Details of Captivity Emerge**
The full details of the hostages’ ordeal are still emerging. The captors used tactics such as torture and intimidation, with some hostages being forced to witness the assault on other prisoners.
One father said his daughter was physically abused and threatened by her captors. He also claimed that they sometimes tortured other hostages in front of his daughter.
The parents have spoken about how their daughters coped with the daily stress of captivity through creative activities such as drawing, writing notes, or sharing stories.
**Calls for Inquiry**
The families of the hostages are joining calls for an inquiry into what happened. They say their daughters remain concerned about the conditions of those still in Gaza and are urging the ceasefire to continue.
Read More @ www.bbc.com