After the ceasefire in Gaza, what awaits the hostages after 50 days in the hands of Hamas?

International – a long journey before returning to the semblance of normal life. On Friday, 24 hostages, including 13 Israelis, ten Thais and one Filipino, were freed as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. This Saturday, November 25, shortly before midnight, 17 new hostages, 13 Israelis and 4 foreigners, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the 50th day of the conflict, which was revived by the Hamas offensive. 7. October.

But for these hostages, the end of captivity did not mean the end of trauma. For this reason, the first two rounds of freed hostages follow a strict and supervised protocol.

Specific attention

A first personalized medical examination is therefore carried out by the ICRC in Rafah before being transferred to representatives of the Israeli army. Hakai Levin, head of the medical group at the Hostage Families Forum, explained BFMTV.

« From a medical point of view, obviously, the doctor will ask if they are not in pain. (…) It is important to do a physical examination to see if they have a specific medical problem », he explains. Adequate medical care is provided in one of the six Israeli hospitals to which patients are sent.

Government recommendations were also made to staff in charge of hostages. And they should be given special attention. The Times of Israel He cites the example of physical contact only with a former hostage-taker’s agreement or feeding system if they were chronically malnourished in captivity. If kept underground, their sensitivity to natural light also needs special attention.

The Israeli Ministry of Health also asked medical personnel to ” Look for and document signs of torture, rape or other war crimes », Israeli media pointed out. Key documents work.

Rebuilding yourself through connection with loved ones

Once these first precautions are met, the hostages will gradually return to reality. It starts with collecting their personal belongings. A critical moment before finding families, then informing them of where their loved one has moved.

But to find them, the staff in charge of monitoring the hostages must confirm above all. May they be healthy again.” Hakai Levin explains that then they can find their families. An important moment to start again” Control of their lives because healing is both physical and mental.”

“They need to be with their families because being with family is critical to their recovery.”He assures.

During this period of private gatherings, the media cannot access the hostages or their families. This is explained by the hostages’ desire to allow themselves to recover from the media spotlight first. However, families are free to contact the media or not if they choose.

“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”

The hard part will probably come later. Because the injuries are more mental than physical. “Not all people who leave prison (…) develop post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental disorders, but a significant minority do”British psychiatrist Neil Greenberg, an expert in psychological trauma, reports for AFP.

And though not ” Post-traumatic stress disorder specific to hostages “, has many characteristics as a springboard for future problems. Among them: isolation, possible shame or a sense of powerlessness.

Symptoms documented during a traumatic experience include withdrawal from social life, difficulty concentrating and/or memory loss, depression, or anxious behavior.

On BFMTV, Marilyn Barens, a doctor of clinical psychology, spoke to the hostages about the importance of Israeli national ethics. It is scientifically recognized worldwide “. It contains “ Shock people, bring them out of this iceberg, bring them back to reality” To prevent patients from falling “In a surprise, a mental iceberg “In the long run.

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