The road to recovery
Each released hostage at Sheba received a fully personalized recovery plan, addressing malnutrition, muscle deterioration, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and the physical and psychological effects of prolonged captivity. Through the integration of physiotherapy, nutrition, and trauma care, Sheba’s multidisciplinary teams collaborate to restore both physical health and emotional well-being.
Beyond the physical recovery, the emotional challenges are immense. Many are returning to a reality they hardly recognize after October 7 — a nation transformed by loss and resilience. As they begin to process their own trauma, they are also confronted with the heartbreaking news of friends and loved ones who did not make it home. Coping with that reality has become part of their healing, alongside the long journey of physical and psychological recovery.
Returning to Life
At Sheba, the teams understand the complexity and are committed to supporting each survivor well beyond their initial treatment and release. Through ongoing checkups and follow-up appointments, and the Returning to Life initiative, recovery doesn’t end at discharge. The released hostages will continue to receive outpatient treatment, physical rehabilitation, and psychological therapy under Sheba’s ongoing care, ensuring that survivors and their families receive long-term support and monitoring for as long as needed.
David and Ariel Cunio, two of the released hostages who received care at Sheba, said in a heartwarming video on the Times of Israel:
“Hello to all our wonderful nation, we were released from the darkness into the light. We know how much you worked for our release, and we want to thank each of you. You went out in all kinds of weather. In the hardest moments there, we felt you were fighting for us.”
They go on to say that they are excited to return to life and thank the soldiers, their loved ones, and those affected by the war.
During his visit to the medical center, President Isaac Herzog commended the courage of the survivors and the commitment of Sheba’s staff, emphasizing that their recovery reflects a moment of shared national strength and compassion.
“You are the factor that united the nation; you went through this hell. People prayed day and night to bring you back,” – President Isaac Herzog. (Ynet news, Oct 2025)
Embracing a Brighter Tomorrow
At Sheba Medical Center, healing is not just a process of medicine, but of humanity. Every member of the team remains committed to walking beside the survivors as they rebuild their strength, their confidence, and their sense of safety. Their recovery is deeply personal, but it also belongs to a larger story — one of resilience, unity, and care that extends far beyond the hospital walls.
The road to healing will take time, for the survivors and for Israel itself. But every act of care, every moment of progress, brings the nation closer to peace. May those returning from captivity find comfort, health, and renewal, and may the people of Israel continue to find strength in compassion, unity, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
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