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Israel prepares to embrace hostages returning from Gaza: ‘You are in a safe place’
- Soldiers are being given a manual on how to handle traumatised children, including bringing their favourite food and sidestepping questions on their family
- 50 of the Hamas-held hostages are set to be released as part of a ceasefire deal, but experts warn that many could face a long road to recovery
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“I am here to take you home. You are in a safe place” – Israeli soldiers are being carefully prepared to receive potentially deeply traumatised women and child hostages seized by Palestinian militants.
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From a manual for trauma care to medical support, even the first words the soldiers escorting them home will say have been carefully scripted, with experts warning many could face a long road to recovery.
During a four-day truce agreed by Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers, 50 of the roughly 240 hostages held by the militants are set to be freed in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners.
The first of them are due to be handed over on Friday, after around seven weeks in captivity in a war-battered landscape.
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