Israel's health system, particularly its major hospitals, is on high alert ahead of the anticipated release of hostages. According to the Health Ministry, the hostages will be treated at Sheba Medical Center, Sourasky Medical Center, Rabin Medical Center (including the Schneider Children’s Medical Center), Shamir Medical Center and Soroka Medical Center.
A senior social services manager at a central Israeli hospital told Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth about preparations: “We’ve set up a new, dedicated facility designed differently from a standard hospital ward but equipped to meet all necessary needs.”
2 View gallery
A passerby looks at photos of the hostages in Gaza displayed on a wall in Tel Aviv
(Photo: REUTERS/Hannah McKay)
Medical, nursing, paramedical and other professional staff have undergone specialized training to address trauma care. “As part of the preparation, we conducted several simulations of potential scenarios involving the hostages. In one, we included actors to realistically recreate complex situations,” the manager added.
Although she has treated hostages released in previous deals, she emphasizes that this situation is entirely different: "We understand that we’re dealing with unprecedented challenges. The hostages from the previous deal were held for a relatively short period, but this time we’re talking about people who have been in captivity for a year and three months. Their psychological and physical state is likely far more complex. It’s reasonable to assume they’ve endured greater despair, harsher conditions and more severe impacts on their physical health."
She describes the initial encounter with the hostages: "First and foremost, we greet them with a warm ‘welcome home’ and ensure they’re in a state that allows them to reunite with their families. Our role is to remain in the background, ready to provide medical and emotional support, while recognizing that the hospital becomes primarily a space for the long-awaited family reunion. As part of our preparations, we meet with families beforehand to guide them on what to expect during the first encounter and support them throughout the process."
She explains that the team adheres to trauma-informed care principles, focusing on sensitivity and giving the hostages control over the process: "We make sure to introduce ourselves at every stage, even if we think they already know us. We explain who we are, our roles and before any medical procedure or intervention, we ask for their consent and proceed cautiously and respectfully. We avoid intrusive questions and move at their pace.
"We’re aware that they will likely be exposed to an overwhelming amount of information, and based on past experiences, we’ve learned that hostages often return with misinformation or under the influence of psychological warfare. Therefore, we anticipate a process of reconnecting with reality but approach it gradually and in a way tailored to their needs."
2 View gallery
Preparations underway at Schneider Children's Medical Center for the return of hostages, as seen in the previous exchange deal
(Photo: Schneider Children's Medical Center)
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
Drawing from past hostage deals, she highlights the importance of flexibility and adapting to the hostages' unique needs: "We’ve learned not to stick to our schedules but to operate at the hostages’ pace. One former hostage taught us the importance of paying attention to even small details, such as regulating the room’s temperature and lighting levels."
'Nutritional state may be severely compromised'
"The provision of structured nutrition under the supervision of dietitians is critical since we don’t know the nutritional state they’ll be in when they return," explained the manager. "Before the first hostage release deal, we established protocols with clear schedules, but we quickly realized we needed far greater flexibility. Hospitals are inherently rigid systems, but in these cases, we create a special 'bubble' that allows for full adaptability to the hostages' needs."
Meital Levy, a clinical dietitian from Leumit Health Services, emphasized that "every stage of rehabilitation must be approached carefully and monitored closely." She warned, "A prolonged period like this can lead to significant deterioration in many areas, including oral and dental health, digestive system issues and symptoms of severe malnutrition. Substantial weight loss is expected, and their overall nutritional state may be severely compromised."
What requires the most attention?
"There are protocols based on prior cases and existing knowledge about treating such situations," Levy said. "But treatment must be performed with extreme caution and close monitoring. Initially, blood tests will be conducted to evaluate electrolyte balance and nutritional status. Additionally, we’ll assess oral and dental health, hydration levels and measure current weight compared to their pre-captivity weight. Personalized treatment goals will be set for each individual."
Meital LevyLevy described the gradual process of increasing food and fluid intake, carefully monitoring electrolytes, hydration, prevention of edema, gastrointestinal function, and heart performance. "These will all require precise and continuous medical oversight. It’s also likely they’ll receive vitamin supplements during the first weeks to support the recovery process."
Can malnutrition cause irreversible damage?
"Absolutely. Such a prolonged period would significantly impact even a healthy individual," Levy said. "For those with pre-existing conditions, the effects could be even more severe."
What kind of damage are we talking about?
"Potential effects include osteoporosis from prolonged mineral deficiencies, which could lead to a significant reduction in bone density," she explained. "There may also be heart dysfunction, muscle breakdown, severe dental damage such as tooth loss or fractures, and even bone fractures. Ultimately, we can’t know for certain what physical state they’ll return in."
What might their first meal look like?
"The first meal will likely consist of foods they were accustomed to during captivity," Levy noted. "This could include easily digestible options like white bread or cheese. Of course, this depends on their physical condition, particularly the state of their teeth, and will be tailored to their needs. For some, softer foods such as yogurt, cheese or applesauce may be necessary. Since we don’t fully know their condition or eating and digestion capabilities, the treatment will proceed cautiously and with individual adaptations."