Returning to Life
Israel Prepares Hospitals for Hostage Return: Medical Team on Alert for Starvation
Israeli medical centers implement specialized protocols for returning hostages, focusing on treating malnutrition and preventing refeeding syndrome, with designated hospitals on standby.
Israel’s Ministry of Health is finalizing comprehensive preparations across major medical centers in anticipation of the return of hostages from Gaza, focusing specifically on treating those who have suffered severe neglect and potential starvation during their captivity.
Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, Head of the Medical Division at the Ministry of Health, detailed the specialized medical protocols being put in place, acknowledging the graphic images and reports of hostages suffering from prolonged malnutrition.
Specialized Care for Starvation Trauma
The medical strategy is being tailored to address the unique trauma and physical deterioration of the former captives. Dr. Mizrahi confirmed that hospitals are preparing with monitoring equipment and dedicated intensive care units (ICUs) to handle severe cases. A major concern for the medical teams is the risk of refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal shift in fluids and electrolytes that occurs when severely malnourished patients are fed too quickly. The Ministry is actively attempting to mitigate this risk.
Dr. Mizrahi stated,
"We are concerned about the overfeeding of the hostages before their release." To address this, the Ministry has transferred a refeeding protocol to mediators, hoping it "will be conveyed to Hamas, so that the feeding during these days does not endanger them."
Hospital Deployment and Unit Cohesion
Three primary hospitals have been designated to receive the returning hostages: Ichilov, Beilinson, and Sheba Medical Center are the main facilities prepared for intake. Regional hospitals, Soroka and Barzilai Medical Centers, will be on standby for any hostages returned in critical condition. In a measure designed to prioritize psychological welfare, the Ministry announced that hostages who were held together in captivity will be permitted to remain together during their hospitalization.