Snippets of the ordeals endured by Yarden Bibas, Ofer Calderon, and Keith Segal in Gaza were reported by Israeli media outlets on Motzei Shabbos.

The three men were constantly moved from place to place during the war and suffered from severe abuse and were given little food.

For part of the time, mainly during the first days of captivity, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon were held together in Khan Younis. They said that the terrorists beat them and locked them in cages – as described by other hostages who were with them and returned in the previous deal. The two experienced severe physical and psychological abuse, especially Bibas as the terrorists would constantly taunt him about his wife Shira, and young children Ariel and Kfir, telling him that they were dead.

The two men were later transferred from place to place, in tunnels and buildings, along with other hostages. The terrorists treated Ofer as a reservist despite his age (54), which is why he was released in a mock IDF uniform.

It was also reported that Bibas learned Arabic while in captivity and held onto the hope of being released.

Keith Segal was held in Gaza City along with other hostages and was moved between tunnels and apartments. When in apartments, the terrorists would lock him in one of the inner rooms so if someone would enter, they wouldn’t find him.

Kan News reported that Keith said that for many months, he didn’t know what happened to his son Shai, who was at his home on October 7 in Kfar Azza. But then he heard him on the radio and realized he was alive and was felt extremely relieved.

It should be noted that Keith’s wife Aviva, didn’t know what happened to Shai until she was released in November 2023 and saw him.

Keith, who appeared visibly starved, also described how he was forced to eat meat despite being a vegetarian due to how little food he was provided.

All three men testified that they were exposed to media, mainly Al Jazeera, and saw the demonstrations for their release alongside their captors.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)