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Beaten and starved: Israeli hostage recounts 2 years of captivity

Segev Kalfon, who, like other hostages, described enduring numerous physical abuses, food deprivation and mind games during his 738 days as a captive of Hamas, at a rehabilitation center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Nov. 4, 2025. While he knows that many in Israel hoped for his return, he is angry that the Israeli government took two years to secure his freedom. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)

Mr Segev Kalfon described enduring physical abuse, food deprivation and mind games during his 738 days as a captive of Hamas.

PHOTO: AVISHAG SHAAR-YASHUV/NYTIMES

Natan Odenheimer and Isabel Kershner

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TEL AVIV, Israel – A Hamas commander presented six Israeli hostages huddled in a tunnel in the Gaza Strip with a choice: Pick three to be executed and three to be shot in the leg, recalled one of the captives Segev Kalfon.

“He pointed a Kalashnikov rifle to my head and asked, ‘Should you be first?’ ”

Beaten and starved: Israeli hostage recounts 2 years of captivity

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