It is feared at least one of the 136 people still in Gaza, abducted after the group’s terror blitz last October, has already died from the disease.
One of the hostage team in Israel, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “There is a deadly fungus in the tunnels with no treatment.”
“Hamas members there are now more immune to it but there is a high chance many of the hostages are sick and deteriorating due to this fungus.”
Dr Hagai Levine, who heads up the medical team at the hostage family forum, says testimonies from those released confirm their fears.
He said: “Several of those coming back need long-term antibiotics for infections which could still be life threatening, worsened by the fungus in the tunnels.”
