Israeli hostage Tal Shoham details captivity experiences

Tal Shoham, an Israeli hostage, was held by Hamas for over 500 days. He was released last month as part of a ceasefire agreement. Shoham described his experience in captivity, revealing brutal conditions in a tunnel system under Gaza. He spent more than 200 days in a cramped tunnel with three other hostages. The tunnel was 60 feet underground and only 3 feet wide. The men shared a small space, sleeping head to toe, and struggling with the lack of oxygen and claustrophobia. They were fed very little, often counting grains of rice to divide their food. Shoham was taken from his home during a violent attack on his kibbutz. In the first weeks, he worried intensely about the fate of his family and friends. He imagined dark scenarios before learning that his family had also been captured. Throughout his time as a hostage, Shoham suffered serious health issues, including infections. His captors were said to have purposely starved him to create shocking images for the media. Eventually, he lost a lot of weight and was severely weakened by scurvy, a condition caused by a lack of vitamin C. As part of the ceasefire, some Israeli hostages were released, along with deceased hostages' bodies, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations for the next phase of the agreement continue, but details remain uncertain.