New Health Ministry protocols for released hostages include training to treat sexual abuse, torture

Amid negotiations for a potential deal that would see the release of more hostages from Gaza, the Health Ministry shares updated guidelines for their treatment upon return to Israel.

The ministry’s protocols, published yesterday, have been sharpened and improved based on the treatment and experiences of the hostages released during a pause in fighting in late November.

The updates are the results of joint consultations of representatives from the Health Ministry, hospitals, community health systems, sexual assault organizations, police and IDF.

The improved protocols include a recommended minimum of four-day stays in hospitals’ special areas for returned hostages, where all physical and psycho-social testing and care can be provided. The tests will include those for infectious diseases.

The four-day period also allows sufficient time for planning for ongoing individualized care in the community. Each returned hostage will be assigned a nurse who will support them on an ongoing basis, as well as a social worker who will help them with interfacing with the social insurance system.

The protection of the returned hostages’ privacy will be upgraded in terms of guarding against access to their medical information. Access to the returnees by the media will be curtailed and only designated medical staff, relevant security apparatus personnel and family members will be allowed access.

Medical staff at the hospitals where the newly released hostages will be brought are undergoing additional training on treating cases of sexual abuse and torture, only with the permission of the victim.