Family members describe the trauma of child hostages freed by Hamas.

Eitan Yahalomi, 12, was beaten and forced to watch videos of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, said his aunt, Deborah Cohen.

And Emily Hand, who lived to be nine in captivity, now speaks only in whispers, her father says. She was convinced that her time in Gaza had lasted a year.

Many of their experiences, including their conditions, where they were held and how they were separated, remain unknown. But interviews with their relatives reveal hints about the ordeals of children held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for more than 50 days.

Eitan’s aunt spoke about his experiences to a French broadcaster. Emily’s father was interviewed on CNN. Both struggled to remain calm as they spoke.

Like many hostages, the children return to Israel without knowing whether their relatives are alive, dead or held captive. Some children, including Eitan, have been released while their fathers were held hostage.

Eitan, who was described by relatives as a boy who loved nature, animals and football, told Ms Cohen that children in captivity were threatened with a gun every time they cried “to silence them”.

“Hamas made him watch the gruesome images, which no one wants to see,” she further said BMTV. “They let him look at it.”

The reporter clarified: “We are talking about the gruesome images of October 7, right?”

“Yes, yes,” Ms. Cohen replied. “The whole thing.”

“How can you feel good after experiencing something like that?” said Mrs. Cohen. ‘I’ll go up to him and give him a big hug. He still has a long way to go.”

Emily’s father, Thomas Hand, said that one night after she came home, she cried until her face was “red and blotchy.”

‘The most shocking and disturbing thing about meeting her was that she was just whispering, you couldn’t hear her. I had to put my ear to her lips,” said Mr. Hand. “She was conditioned not to make any noise.”