TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – They will be treated for malnutrition, lack of sunlight and the trauma of months in leg chains. They suffer from unexplained pain and unresolved emotions, and have to relearn how to easily make everyday decisions, such as when to go to the bathroom.
of the last 20 living hostages Israeli health officials say those released by Hamas have begun the difficult road to recovery, which includes rebuilding a sense of control over their lives. Along the way, each person will be accompanied by a team of doctors, nurses, specialists, and social workers who will guide them as they return to society after two years of confinement. in Gaza.
All hostages were in stable condition Monday. after their releasenone required immediate intensive care.
“But what appears on the outside does not reflect what is happening inside,” explains Dr. Hagai Levin, head of the health team at the Hostage Families Forum, who has been involved in the medical care of returned hostages and their relatives.
In accordance with Israeli Health Ministry procedures, the newly released hostages will remain in the hospital for several days to undergo tests, including a full psychiatric examination. Dietitians provide them and their families with dietary guidance to avoid refeeding syndrome. Refeeding syndrome is a dangerous medical condition that can develop when there is a sudden intake of food after a period of starvation.
The hostage appeared thin and pale.
After their previous release, some hostages and their families chose to stay together in a hotel north of Tel Aviv for several weeks to adjust to the new reality. Some returned to their homes immediately after being discharged from the hospital.
All of the hostages who appeared Monday were unusually thin and pale, likely the result of enduring extended periods without adequate food, Levine said.
Lack of sunlight and nutrients can cause problems with kidney, liver, and cognitive function, as well as osteoporosis. Many hostages wear chains on their legs throughout their captivity, which can cause orthopedic problems, muscle waste, and blood clots.
Elkanah Bobot told her family that she was suffering from pain all over her body, particularly in her back, legs and stomach, due to force-feeding, Israeli TV channel Channel 12 reported.
“Prior to his release, he received a large amount of food so he could look a little better to the world,” Elkana’s wife, Rebecca Baubot, told reporters from the hospital on Tuesday.
Levine said some previously returned hostages suffered mild strokes while in captivity but were not treated. Levin said many people return home with infections and severely weakened immune systems, so the number of visitors must be kept to a minimum. He denounced visits by politicians to hostages as unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the five hostages on Tuesday night and was diagnosed with bronchitis on Wednesday.
“Previously released hostages were said to be ‘in pretty good shape,’ but some required very complex surgeries. Some were in constant pain. Many have all kinds of pain that can’t be explained, and it’s having a huge impact on their quality of life,” Levine said.
Levine said Israel also learned from the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in which more than 60 Israeli soldiers were held captive in Syria for six months. Many of them later developed cancer, cardiovascular disease, accelerated aging, and were at risk of premature death.
The war began when Hamas-led militants crossed the Israeli border, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 others. The fighting has left more than 67,600 Palestinians dead, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is part of the Hamas-run government. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records, which are generally considered reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. It did not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.
restoration of autonomy
Einat Yehene, a clinical neuropsychologist and head of rehabilitation at the Hostage Families Forum, explained that the most important step in returning hostages is helping them regain control. Many of the hostages were taken directly from Hamas tunnels, allowing them to see sunlight for the first time in almost two years.
“I’m happy to see the sun. I’m happy to see the trees. I’m happy to see the sea. You have no idea how precious that is,” Israeli media reported.
“It’s really overwhelming, both in terms of stimulation and autonomy,” Yehene says. “Someone is asking you questions. Do you want to go to the bathroom? Do you want something to eat? These are questions I haven’t heard in two years.”
By allowing hostages to make small decisions, you can activate their autonomy. According to protocol, everyone treating a patient must ask for permission to do something no matter how small, such as turning off lights, changing sheets, or performing medical tests.
Yehene said some returning hostages feel scared when they feel thirsty, as if they are still in captivity. Some people cannot spend time on their own and need a family member to accompany them 24 hours a day.
Levine said some of the hostages who experienced the smoothest integration from long-term confinement were fathers, but it took time to rebuild trust with their young children.
“It promotes recovery because it forces them back into the role of father,” Levine says. None of the women incarcerated for long periods were mothers.
The world “starts moving again”
Although the hostages were euphoric in the first days after their release, many felt guilty for the pain their families had experienced, Yehene said.
She added that people should be careful to consume information slowly, for those who hardly watch the media and have no idea what happened in Israel.
Yehene also said he saw hostages released in previous ceasefires exhibit immediate psychological reactions after Monday’s release. Many of the hostages released so far are caught up in the struggle He said the need to return the last hostage had kept them from focusing on their own recovery.
“I see movement from frozen emotions and frozen trauma,” Yehene said. “You don’t feel guilty anymore. You don’t feel responsible anymore.”
Iea Horn was released from captivity in February, but it didn’t really hit her until Monday, when her brother Eitan was finally released.
“About eight months ago, I went home. But the truth is, today is the only day I’m truly free,” Horn said tearfully from the hospital where her brother was undergoing tests. Now that Eitan is back, for the first time, “my heart, our hearts, are whole again.”
Lilan Burman is the brother of twins Gari Burman and Jib Burman, who were also released.
“For 738 days, our lives were caught between hope and fear,” said Rylan Berman. “Yesterday, that chapter came to an end. When I hugged Gari and Jiv again for the first time in a while, it was like I felt the world start to move again.”
