Returning to Life: Treatments Awaiting Romi, Emily, and Doron at Sheba Medical Center

After an emotional day that captured the hearts of the nation, returnees Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari were handed over to IDF and Shin Bet forces and reunited with their families at Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer. Upon arrival, the three young women were taken to private hospital rooms, where they shared deeply heartfelt moments with their close and extended family members.

Medical and Emotional Care

Dr. Yael Frenkel-Nir, director of the general hospital and head of the returnees’ intake operation, shared her gratitude for the focus on family reunions: “Their medical condition allows us to focus on what matters most—their reunion with their families—and to delay medical matters by a few hours.”

Dr. Sefi Mandelovitz, deputy director of the Ministry of Health, reflected on the unimaginable reality the returnees endured: “We are meeting them after 471 days in captivity, an unimaginable reality. We are fully prepared to address the medical issues stemming from their ordeal.”

Medical Assessments Begin Today

Beginning today (Monday), the returnees will undergo detailed medical assessments, including blood tests, physical evaluations, and nutritional monitoring to mitigate risks like refeeding syndrome. A dedicated team of dietitians and medical professionals will support the families in managing their loved ones’ recovery.

Additionally, psychologists will assess the psychological impact of captivity, providing personalized care to help address the trauma endured during their 471 days in captivity. The entire nation joins in prayer for their complete healing, both body and soul, echoing the words of Psalms 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Moments from the Reunion of the Returnees with Their Families, at Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer | Credit: Omer Miron / GPO