Recovery and rehabilitation is main focus after more than 700 days in captivity
As the remaining 20 living hostages return to Israel after enduring 737 days in captivity in Gaza, the focus will be on their recovery and rehabilitation.
The condition of the 20 hostages – all men aged to 21 to 48 – is unknown but Israel’s foreign ministry said that Alon Ohel, 24, had suffered serious injuries, including the loss of vision in one eye.
The hostages were on Monday handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza before being driven to the Re’im military base in southern Israel to be reunited with their families and undergo an initial medical evaluation. Helicopters were prepared to airlift them to one of three Israeli hospitals – Sheba, Ichilov and Rabin – for further treatment if necessary.
Some earlier freed hostages appeared gaunt and weak, and doctors have warned of their complex psychological and medical needs. Groups representing hostages and their families have stressed that both – including the families of the deceased – will need ongoing medical, psychological and social rehabilitation.
