Home / War and Conflict / Freed Israeli Hostages Recount Horrific Hamas Captivity
Freed Israeli Hostages Recount Horrific Hamas Captivity
13 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Journalist Christiane Amanpour apologizes for insensitive comments
- Hamas released all 20 Israeli hostages after 2 years of captivity
- Hostages describe being starved, forced to dig graves, and barely able to breathe
On October 13, 2025, journalist Christiane Amanpour issued an apology for making "insensitive" and "wrong" comments about the treatment of Israeli hostages released by Hamas as part of a ceasefire deal. Earlier that day, Amanpour had suggested the hostages may have been treated better than many Gazans during the two-year captivity.
However, Amanpour later acknowledged her remarks were incorrect. She stated that after speaking with former hostages and their families, she was "horrified at what Hamas has subjected them to over two long years." The hostages recounted stories of barely being able to breathe in the tunnels, being starved, and being forced to dig their own graves.
In total, Hamas released all 20 living hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement. Amanpour noted that while it will be a joyous day for the Israeli families, some of the hostages are returning in body bags after the "terrible, terrible two years" of captivity.
