Life-Changing: Romi Gonen to undergo 10-hour surgery on her hand after release from Hamas

The surgery is intended to address a severe injury to Romi's hand, which was inflicted during her attempt to escape from the Nova music festival when she was shot. The injury has left her hand paralyzed and untreated throughout her entire captivity.

Speaking in an interview with Anat Davidov and Udi Segal on 103FM, Leshem Gonen disclosed that the initial surgery would take about 10 hours, but they remain uncertain whether additional surgeries will be necessary. "We hope there won’t be more surgeries, but there’s no way to know," she stated. This surgery is crucial to attempt to restore some function to Romi's hand, though it is not clear how much movement can be regained, given the extent of the injury.

The injury is reportedly severe, potentially involving damage to nerves, tendons, or bones in her hand. Hand surgeries of this nature are extremely delicate and intricate, often requiring microscopic precision. The hand contains numerous small bones, joints, tendons, and nerves that work together for movement, and any damage to them requires highly skilled intervention to avoid permanent disability. The 10-hour surgery will be performed by a team of orthopedic, plastic, vascular, and neurosurgical specialists, using advanced technologies and tools, such as surgical microscopes and 3D imaging.

Post-operative recovery for such an injury will be long and challenging. Romi will likely need extensive physical therapy to regain hand function and prevent joint stiffness. Rehabilitation could last months or even years, depending on the severity of the injury and the success of the surgery. However, even with successful surgery, some permanent sensory loss or mobility limitations could remain.

Despite these challenges, Romi’s condition has shown some improvement since her release, with her appetite returning after weeks of recovery. Her mother shared that Romi was finally able to enjoy a meal after weeks of not being able to eat properly, signaling progress in her overall health.

The release of Romi Gonen, along with other hostages, highlighted the severe toll that captivity under Hamas has on the victims, including weight loss and psychological trauma. The return of Romi and others has raised awareness of the ongoing need for public pressure to ensure that more hostages are brought home and treated with the care they deserve.