After nearly 500 days in captivity, released Israeli hostages face a long road to recovery

ISRAELi hostages facing freedom after almost 500 days of brutal captivity will have to undergo a long and painful process of recovery, psychologists warned last night.

“After the initial shock and relief, the physical and mental changes will become clear – there will be a long road ahead,” said Vered Atzmon Meshulam, a medical psychologist specialising in PTSD for ’s Zaka first responder service.

Some 33 hostages, out of the 98 still being held by Hamas in Gaza, are set to be freed over the next two months as part of a tentative ceasefire deal between and the Palestinian terror organisation Hamas.

Their first glimpse of daylight will mark the end of 18 months spent underground in the 350-mile tunnel network constructed underneath Gaza by Hamas, which paid for more than 6,000 tons of concrete and 1,800 tons of metal through heavy taxation of Gazans while relying on humanitarian aid to provide for their needs.

Some of the white-painted corridors, which measure only five feet high, lead to command centres and comfortable bedrooms, bathrooms and dining rooms for the militant Jihadists.

But others lead to chambers containing cages which have been their home since men, women and children were snatched in the drug-fuelled raids which marked “’s 9/11”.

And within those cells desperate victims have suffered “unimaginable hardship”, said Ms Atzmon, who also helped to identify some of the 1,200 killed on October 7,2023, when around 6,000 Palestinians including 3,800 from the Hamas “elite Nukhba forces” launched an attack into from 119 sites on its border with the Gaza Strip.

“Judging from reports from previously-released hostages, we know th is would have extended to extensive physical, psychological, and emotional trauma,“ she said.

Details are difficult to convey, but examples of physical abuse include torture – specifically during times where Hamas militants deliberately exacerbated existing wounds while pretending to treat them , sexual violence used as a tool for humiliation and control.

Emotional abuse is also a common tactic, ranging from long spells in disorienting isolation to being forest witness the torture and rape of loved ones and friends.

“The transition back to life will likely be deeply personal, complex, and uncertain,’ she warned.

“Survivors might face flashbacks and nightmares, reliving traumatic events involuntarily and hypervigilance- the constant scanning for danger, struggling to feel safe even in secure environments.”

Other may feel guilt at surviving when so many other never emerged from those Hadean tunnels, or from the hardship they feel they have put waiting loved ones through.

“The trauma these hostages have endured – marked by barbaric cruelty, psychological terror, and fear for their lives – has fundamentally altered their experiences and perspectives. However, recovery is possible.”

But that process won’t be limited to the hostages alone.

“Trauma of this magnitude is not isolated to the survivors alone—it is collective, affecting families, communities, and the nation. Collective trauma requires collective healing, where societal responses, communal support, and a sense of shared responsibility play a critical role.“ she said.

Families who have been putting placing their lives on hold while campaigning for the release of husbands and wives, children and parents, will cos need to adjust -whether their loved ones are alive or dead,

“They may struggle with navigating complex emotions, rebuilding trust, and adjusting to their loved ones’ trauma responses.

“The grief process will be profound, requiring long-term psychological support and communal solidarity to help them find closure and meaning. “

is braced, with government and private agencies “fully mobilised to provide comprehensive care, including immediate medical attention to address malnutrition, physical injuries, and untreated conditions, as well as PTSD therapy.

“Family counselling will be provided to support families in understanding and navigating their loved ones’ unique needs, as well as holistic recovery programmes which combine emotional, physical, and community-based care to address the full spectrum of trauma,” said Ms Atzmon.

“This moment marks a historic and deeply emotional chapter for and its people. This is not just about healing them—it is about healing us all. With solidarity, compassion, and hope, we will ensure their return becomes a testament to the strength and unity of our people.”