Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed were in stable condition upon release from Gaza captivity on Saturday, alleviating fears over the health of the two held captive since 2014 and 2015, respectively.
The two, who were kept captive by Hamas for over 7,000 combined days, were released on Saturday along with Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Tal Shoham, and Eliya Cohen.
Ichilov Hospital’s deputy director-general, Prof. Gil Fire, said on Saturday that the circumstances behind Mengistu and Sayed’s “prolonged captivity had created a complicated reality.”
Foyer stressed, however, that initial results showed both Mengistu and Sayed arrived in Israel in stable physical condition, which allowed them to reunite with their families.
“We will continue to assess Hisham and Avera’s condition over the coming days and beyond. Their situation is extremely complex, not only physically,” Fire said.
'Emotionally, mentally destroyed'
Sayed, who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia, along with a “personality disorder” and other conditions, is struggling to communicate after his Saturday release, his father revealed.
“His mental condition is very difficult; he doesn’t communicate,” Sha’ban al-Sayed told KAN Reshet Bet on Saturday.
“He looks as if he has been in a torture camp for 10 years. I am dismayed... We never imagined that Hamas would be so cruel; they committed a disgusting act. He is emotionally and mentally destroyed.”
The 36-year-old Bedouin-Israeli wandered into Gaza in 2015 while he was struggling with his mental health and was promptly kidnapped by Hamas. The terrorist organization released him after a decade in captivity, and he has reunited with his family at Ichilov Hospital.
Similarly, Mengistu hasn’t spoken yet about his decade-long time in captivity, his family told Walla on Sunday.
“Avera is able to recall memories from the past; he’s relatively well. He’s a bit weak, but his physical condition is good, and he recognizes his family,” they said.
“It isn’t an ideal situation, but his condition is relatively stable, and he has not yet spoken about what he went through,” they added.
Meanwhile, families of the four remaining ex-captives have chosen not to reveal their medical condition at this time, Beilinson Hospital Director Dr. Lena Koren Feldman said Saturday.
“Omer, Eliya, Tal, and Omer went through a difficult period in captivity. At the request of the families, we will not provide details on their condition,” she said. “At this time, a multidisciplinary team is conducting a comprehensive evaluation with personalized adaptation for each of the hostages.
“Some of the hostages experienced difficult events on the day of the abduction and afterwards; we will provide them with comprehensive and personalized treatment, including emotional and rehabilitative support during hospitalization and also after release as needed.”