Hostages given tranquilizers to 'look happy' upon release from captivity

Before the release of Israeli captives by Hamas, terrorists forced them to swallow tranquilizers like Clonex (Clonazepam) and vitamins “so they would look happy,” said Prof. Ronit Endevelt, head of the Health Ministry’s nutrition department, at a session of the Knesset Health Committee on Tuesday.

Sold under the brand names Rivotril and Klonopin, the tranquilizer is given to treat bipolar mania, agitation, anxiety, seizures and other conditions. It relaxes skeletal muscles and works as an anticonvulsant, and sedative. Effects begin within 60 minutes and last between six and 12 hours.

Committee chairman MK Yoni Mashriki said that the ministry must publish data and a detailed report to health organizations around the world describing the medical findings discovered about the hostages after their return – taking into account the limitations arising from the needs of the investigation and privacy.

Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the ministry’s medical division, told the committee that preliminary medical information was collected before the return of the abductees, and conversations were also held with the returnees after they came back to Israel that could be of use in helping those who return in the future.

Israeli Health Ministry officials tell a Knesset hearing that Hamas gave hostages drugs before releasing them so they'd appear calm and happy in their propaganda videos. pic.twitter.com/ZFoCWOaKg5

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Relatives call for global action and reports to international health organizations

Separate, private compounds were prepared at Sheba, Soroka, Schneider, Wolfson, Tel Aviv Sourasky, and Shamir Medical Centers that radiated a warm and homely atmosphere to those returning from captivity, while providing physical and mental support.

Mizrahi added that the health authorities preferred female over male physicians to bring together the former hostages and their families. “We immediately checked whether there was a need for immediate and specific mental-health treatment, while transferring responsibility later to the community health clinics. In addition, war crimes were documented by forensic doctors.”

The returnees were briefed on how to handle questions from Israeli and foreign journalists. Psychologists and psychiatrics observed the former captives to try identify emotional problems caused by their terrible ordeals.

Yael Gur-Kol, the ministry’s chief social worker, added the preparation of what weaknesses were reportedly suffered by each returned, what required physical and emotional attention, who would break bad news about murdered relatives, and how to gradually expose them to family and friends. Mental-health counsellors were provided 24/7 to visit the returnees at home if needed, and clinical dietitians were ready to provide dietary advice.

According to the head of the ministry’s nursing administration Dr. Shoshi Goldberg, a personal nurse was appointed for each returnee, medications were provided daily, and her/his physical and mental condition is being constantly checked.

Shir Segal, whose parents were abducted by terrorists, called on the ministry to declare that the main goal of the government and the IDF must be the return of the abductees, emphasizing that “my mother will not be able to recover as long as my father is a prisoner. We do not trust you to do your job. My mother’s testimony is shocking: they were handcuffed, abused, and starved.”

Yizhar Lifshitz, whose father is still a prisoner, warned that “every day, two of the prisoners die, and billions will have to be spent to psychologically rehabilitate the families.”

Inbar David at the National Insurance Institute told the committee about its round-the-clock activity since the disaster. NII representatives reached out to the hospitals where the captives were brought, provided a prepaid card for about NIS 10,000 for each, and at the same time, each was assigned a social worker who would accompany the captive and her/his family from now on.