On their second day of freedom at Sheba Medical Center, three recently released hostages – Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari, and Romi Gonen – are undergoing a carefully orchestrated reintegration process, beginning with the restoration of their official identities through new biometric documentation.
The Interior Ministry has established a mobile processing station within the hospital, where the three will have their photographs taken and fingerprints collected for new identification cards. This procedural milestone follows scheduled sessions with hairdressers and aestheticians, marking their transition back to civilian life.
Video: Released hostages reunite with their mothers
Authorities have implemented comprehensive security protocols at the facility, maintaining a controlled environment where immediate family members – parents and siblings – are accommodated overnight. Access remains strictly limited, with conventional smartphones prohibited; only basic "kosher phones" without cameras are permitted within the complex.
Medical staff report that the released hostages, who shared their captivity experience, have maintained the close bonds formed during their ordeal. They occupy adjacent rooms in a secured wing of the facility, dividing their time between family visits and group interactions. Sleeping arrangements have been customized to individual preferences, with some choosing to have family members nearby while others opted for separate accommodations.
"They haven't yet grasped how much they've become symbols," a staff member observed after one of the young women appeared wearing a shirt her family had printed during their campaign for her release.
The facility maintains round-the-clock dining services under dietary supervision, accommodating specific requests that reflect the hostages' reacclimation to freedom. One notable request was for a special salad – a simple luxury unavailable during captivity. The women have also requested exchanges of their standard-issue sweatpants for more individualized, colorful clothing options.
As some of the former hostages begin cautiously reengaging with social media, the administration is already preparing for the next phase of releases, expected on Saturday. Sources indicate the next group of hostages will likely be transferred to a different medical facility.
The current rehabilitation program represents the initial phase of a broader reintegration strategy, balancing immediate medical and psychological needs with the gradual restoration of normal daily activities. Medical professionals emphasize the importance of this measured approach in ensuring successful long-term recovery.
