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Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/12/08/newsletter-torture-moral-compass/
The Released Israeli Hostages Are Not Okay
(Washington Post) Jennifer Rubin - As of this writing, 113 of the hostages kidnapped from Israel on Oct. 7 have been released. Some pundits declared that the released hostages looked well, did not require extensive hospitalization, and were somehow fortunate to return in relatively good condition. This is factually and morally ridiculous. Kidnapped victims were put on a starvation diet, resulting in some children's loss of 15% of their body weight. Some children were burned with a motorcycle exhaust pipe to identify them if they escaped. Some reported beatings and death threats. Many were deprived of medicine and proper medical care. They were kept in darkness, forced to speak in only hushed tones. Children were forced to watch video footage of the Oct. 7 carnage. "They were exhausted and depleted. Strong in spirit, but weak in body. Some had injuries from their abduction that they suffered with through their captivity," said one Israeli doctor. A doctor told AP that at least 10 of the Israeli civilians released by Hamas, both men and women, were sexually assaulted or abused while in captivity. And, even if not torture per se, the terrorists' conduct surely meets the definition of "cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment or treatment" which is prohibited by international law. Where is the outrage, the U.S. media coverage and the condemnation of these war crimes? Too many ignore or minimize Israelis' suffering and Hamas' vicious atrocities as if that is necessary to support innocent Palestinians. But empathy is not finite. One can decry the loss of innocent Palestinian life (resulting from Hamas' embedding terrorists in civilian areas) and also decry obscene treatment of Israelis. Civilized people must demand that hostages be returned and that all still in captivity receive Red Cross visits. Anything less enables war crimes.