In brief
A new manual developed by Israel's medical team focuses on the transition process for hostages released after being held by Hamas. With insights gained from various experiences, the initiative aims to assist individuals from diverse age groups in regaining control over their lives post-captivity.
From first haircuts to providing emotional support, Israeli health professionals have crafted a guideline for aiding ex-hostages returning to normalcy after their traumatic experiences. This initiative, spurred by the experiences of hostages released from Gaza, reflects the country's evolving understanding of the psychological and medical needs of those who have endured long periods in captivity.An incident involving a woman recently freed after 15 months exemplifies the progress made. She shockingly declined medical tests offered at the hospital, a sign of her reclaiming autonomy following a harrowing experience under Hamas captivity. "We canceled a whole day’s schedule," remarked Prof. Noa Eliakim-Raz, from Beilinson Hospital, highlighting how such choices by the returning hostages signify positive development.Over a year, a multidisciplinary team from Israel's medical, military, and social welfare sectors has been working tirelessly to refine these support strategies. Given the broad age range of hostages—from young infants to the elderly—the absence of established protocols presented unique challenges. Eti Kisos, a deputy director within Israel’s Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, emphasized their ongoing journey to establish a theoretical framework to assist these individuals.The tragic backdrop of this initiative stems from the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, leading to approximately 250 individuals being taken hostage. From a brief cease-fire in November, over 100 people were released, with an additional 30 being returned earlier this year before the peace efforts faltered again. The knowledge gathered during this process is now foundational in shaping Israel's approach to psychological and medical rehabilitation for those impacted by such conflict.
