“Hamas militants release Israeli hostages after over 50 days in captivity”
In a recent news report, it has been stated that about 100 Israeli hostages, who were kidnapped by Hamas militants during a deadly raid on Israel, have been released after more than 50 days in captivity. The hostages, who were freed by the Hamas militants, were brought to the medical center whether they wanted to come or not.
Dr. Itai Pessach, the director of the Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital at Sheba Medical Center, said that his team interviewed and examined many of the hostages. He told CBS News Sunday Morning that the hostages were in need of a buffer from their time in captivity, underground, in the dark, with very little food, and a lot of psychological stress. Many of these people have not been around since October 7, and the experience has taken a significant toll on them.
The hostage release has not come easy, with many facing the harsh reality that they no longer have a home to go back to. Dr. Pessach had the challenging task of informing some hostages about this difficult news. It was also revealed that a significant number of hostages suffered from physical injuries and medical problems, despite television pictures suggesting otherwise.
According to Dr. Pessach, the hostages also experienced psychological torture, sexual abuse, and physical abuse at the hands of the Hamas militants. He described the psychological torment inflicted on the hostages as structured and preplanned, carefully designed to play with their minds.
Although there was no formula in how the hostages were treated upon their return, Dr. Pessach and his team at the Sheba Medical Center are now considered experts in receiving people that were held hostage. His insights shed light on the suffering faced by both Israeli and Palestinian individuals as a result of the ongoing conflict.
CBS News also announced that an interview with the freed hostages will be aired on “60 Minutes” on Sunday, December 17. The report also touches upon other related stories such as the extensive shelling of Gaza by the Israeli military, volunteer efforts to aid Israeli hostage families, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, the release of the hostages has provided a glimmer of hope, but their experiences have also highlighted the immense suffering and trauma associated with this longstanding and deeply entrenched conflict.