Several of the hostages freed after two years in Hamas captivity remain hospitalized at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus, as medical teams continue monitoring their recovery amid complex medical, psychological, and personal considerations.
Among those discharged from Sheba Medical Center are brothers David and Ariel Cunio from Kibbutz Nir Oz, Yosef-Chaim Ohana from Kiryat Malachi, twins Gali and Ziv Berman from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Maxim Harkin from Tirat Carmel, and Elkana Buhbut.
From Sourasky Medical Center's Ichilov Hospital, Eitan Horn, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Zangauker, and Matan Angrest have been released.
At Beilinson Hospital, however, several remain in recovery, including Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, Eitan Mor, Avinatan Or, and Evyatar David.
Individualized medical assessment
There is no uniform procedure for releasing hostages from medical care, and each case is evaluated individually through a thorough medical assessment focused on the individual's physical condition, level of malnutrition, muscle deterioration, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and the effects of torture.
Some of the returnees suffer from severe malnutrition and deficits in vitamin D, iron, and magnesium, as well as significant muscle loss. These conditions require continuous medical observation, daily physiotherapy, and closely monitored nutrition programs.
Emotional rehabilitation
The psychological aspect also plays a critical role. Many freed hostages experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTSD), insomnia, anxiety, and difficulty readjusting to normal life.
Some require a longer stay in a controlled hospital environment to receive psychiatric and psychological care, as well as therapy aimed at rebuilding trust and a sense of safety.
Mental health teams assessed each patient individually to determine the right time for discharge.
Family choice and hospital policy
Another factor is the preference of the hostages and their families. Some families have chosen to return home quickly for privacy and peace, while others feel safer staying in the hospital for a few extra days. The emotional transition from hospital to home can be both exciting and challenging, requiring time and professional guidance.
Different hospitals also follow distinct rehabilitation approaches. At Beilinson Hospital, for instance, the team has opted for a gradual recovery process, viewing rehabilitation as both physical and emotional.
Families are encouraged to remain until former hostages reach a level of full stabilization, even if an earlier discharge is medically possible. This cautious approach, proven effective in previous recovery cases, prioritizes long-term stability over speed.
No hospital is pressuring hostages to leave. The guiding rule is clear: discharge only occurs once the individual is physically and emotionally stable, able to eat and sleep properly, function independently, and gradually resume daily life. Rehabilitation teams, comprising nutritionists, family physicians, physiotherapists, social workers, psychologists, and trauma experts, work together to ensure full recovery.
Recovery continues after discharge
Even after leaving the hospital, recovery remains ongoing. Some hostages have chosen to stay temporarily at Kfar Hamaccabiah Hotel, where they can reside for as long as needed. They continue attending follow-up appointments at specialized medical units and health clinics for regular checkups, blood tests, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and, in some cases, orthopedic treatments or surgeries for injuries sustained during captivity.
Simultaneously, the psychological recovery process continues with individual and group therapy sessions designed to help survivors process their trauma, regain confidence, and restore control over their lives.
Medical teams stress that the coming year will be crucial for both physical and emotional rehabilitation, emphasizing that treatment will continue for as long as necessary. Despite the varying pace of recovery, doctors agree on one key principle: there is no rush. Each hostage will return home only when truly ready.