A scientific article reveals the health complications caused to the elderly in captivity

Against the background of the summit in Doha and the attempts to start negotiations for the release of hostages from Hamas captivity after almost two months of complete stagnation in contacts, this morning (Monday) we received a reminder of the deteriorating health condition of the hostages who have been held captive for 388 days.A scientific article published in the Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal presents a comprehensive analysis of the severe health complications experienced by elderly abductees who were abducted on October 7, and sheds light on the risks associated with prolonged captivity in harsh conditions. The article, entitled “Kidnappers but not children: a series of cases of three kidnappers over the age of 80 who were held captive by Hamas”, was written by Prof. A. Mark Clarfield and Prof. Hagai Levin, and focuses on the story of three kidnappers aged 80 and over: Alma Avraham (85) , Yochaved Lifshitz (86) and Oded Lifshitz (84) who is still being held captive, and his condition is unknown.

The authors of the article emphasize that, to the best of their knowledge, there is very little information in the medical literature regarding the health effects caused to older people due to prolonged time in captivity. According to them, the current article examines the physical and psychological price paid by elderly abductees, with an emphasis on the drug points related to age and poor medical treatment given, if any, during captivity. The information is based on conversations with survivors of captivity as well as data received from family members.

Pressure ulcers and serious complications of lack of drug therapy

The authors of the article detail the poor health condition of 85-year-old Alma Avraham, who was kidnapped on October 7, and released after 51 days in Gaza. According to them, Avraham developed a severe pressure sore in her right heel due to prolonged immobility and neglect in captivity. “Pressure sores are especially dangerous for elderly patients. They develop when blood flow to the affected area is limited, which causes tissue damage,” they explain. According to them, this is an example of how confinement and immobility in sanitary conditions exacerbate the risk of infection and other complications, and may lead to long-term disability.

 

 

 

Dr. Clarfield and Prof. Levin point out that even before October 7, Mrs. Avraham suffered from a medical history that included hypothyroidism, a chronic condition that requires daily medication to maintain stable hormone levels. “During her 51 days of captivity, “She did not have access to her medication, and as a result she began to suffer from a ‘myxedema coma’ – a rare but life-threatening medical emergency caused by severe underactivity of the thyroid gland,” they note. They add that Avraham returned from captivity in an extremely difficult condition that manifested In hypothermia – a dangerously low body temperature of 28.6 degrees Celsius, which reflects the body’s inability to regulate heat in the absence of essential thyroid hormones. She also suffered from bradycardia and arrhythmias – a heart rate of 40 beats per minute and atrial fibrillation, indicating impaired heart function. as well as critically low blood pressure (68/40 mmHg), which, according to them, complicates her already fragile condition even more.

As I recall, Avraham was hospitalized in Soroka Hospital, from where she was released after 163 days, more than five months since she returned in the November 2023 kidnapping deal.

The precarious condition of 86-year-old Yochaved Lishpitz is also described in an article published today. According to the authors, Lipshitz suffers from diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases – chronic conditions that require close treatment and monitoring. They emphasize that her lack of access to a full medication regimen left her at increased risk for serious complications such as muscular dystrophy – a significant loss of muscle mass, likely due to poor nutrition and prolonged periods of limited mobility. The mental trauma she experienced also worsened, according to them, her medical condition.

“Without access to essential medications, Oded Lifshitz’s chance of suffering acute respiratory failure from cardiovascular events increases significantly”

As mentioned, the article, which seeks to examine the health effects of the elderly in captivity, also refers to 84-year-old Oded Lifshitz, who is still being held captive by Hamas, and his condition is unknown. The authors note that Lifshitz suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease, and needs various medications to manage respiratory function and regulate blood pressure. According to them, without access to these essential drugs, the chance of acute respiratory failure or cardiovascular events increases significantly.

In the rest of the article, the authors emphasize the impact of the living conditions and environmental factors in Gaza on the health status of all the abductees and the elderly in particular. They note the poorly ventilated underground tunnels where the abductees are kept; poor sanitation and insufficient lighting that increases the chance of respiratory infections, aggravates chronic problems and leads to the development of skin problems; as well as poor nutrition and water supply. “Limited access to clean water and adequate nutrition exacerbated the existing health condition of the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of dehydration and lack of nutrients. The article shows that weight loss and signs of dehydration were common among released abductees, contributing to general frailty and a decline in health.”

The authors also mention in the article the other adult abductees who are being held captive – Gadi Mozes (79), who suffers from gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disorders and his condition is unknown, and Keith Samuel Siegel (65) who suffers from hypertension, migraine and fibromyalgia, whose condition is also unknown. Apart from them, there are also four other abductees over the age of 70 who did not survive the captivity – the late Alex Danzig, the late Avraham Monder, the late Haim Perry and the late Yoram Metzger, all of whom suffered from chronic illnesses that were not properly treated.

 

 

 

According to Prof. Levin, head of the health system of the headquarters of the families of the abductees, the findings highlight the severe impact of captivity on elderly hostages who were already dealing with multiple chronic health conditions even before captivity. The lack of access to essential medicines and basic treatment, combined with prolonged incarceration in inadequate conditions, pose a significant risk to their lives. Unfortunately, our fears were confirmed and many abductees did not survive the terrible conditions of captivity. Abductees, elderly or of any age, have no time. Only their release can ensure their survival and prevent further deterioration and inhumane suffering.” Prof. Levin adds that when it comes to elderly abductees, the findings presented in the article emphasize the critical need for targeted medical interventions.

The article also raises questions about the activities and role of international humanitarian organizations in handling the ongoing crisis. The authors particularly emphasize the need for proactive measures on the part of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), whose mandate is to provide humanitarian protection and assistance to victims of conflicts. According to the article, the ICRC failed to secure access to the hostages or act effectively for their medical needs.