Govind Tekale## ARTICLE 1: Freed Israeli Hostages Still Have Shrapnel Embedded, Scans Show
Medical scans of Israeli hostages freed by Hamas show embedded shrapnel in muscle, soft tissue and, in some cases, close to major nerves — injuries sustained during the October 7, 2023 attack and over 477 days in captivity without proper surgical care.
The four female soldiers released in the January 2025 prisoner swap — Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag — were among the hostages examined. All were held at the Nahal Oz observation post during the October 7 attack. Medical examinations confirmed shrapnel injuries sustained during the initial abduction and the years of captivity that followed. Agam Berger, a fifth female soldier abducted from the same base, was also released in the exchange.
**Why this matters now:** The medical findings reveal the long-term physical toll of Hamas captivity. Many released hostages require ongoing treatment for injuries that went untreated for over a year. The Israeli government has not published a full medical assessment of all released captives, citing security considerations. Families are calling for comprehensive health screening for every freed hostage. Some hostages have been diagnosed with PTSD, malnutrition and untreated injuries from their captivity. The long-term health consequences of captivity are only beginning to emerge as more former hostages receive medical evaluations. Many survivors face a lifetime of chronic pain and psychological trauma. This is a critical moment for the families of the remaining captives.
### What the Scans Found
Medical teams examining released captives documented shrapnel embedded in muscle, soft tissue and, in some cases, close to major nerves. These injuries were sustained during the initial October 7 attack and, for some, over 477 days in captivity without proper surgical care. The shrapnel includes fragments from weapons and explosives used during the base assault at Nahal Oz.
Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Medical Division in the Health Ministry, was quoted by Ynet as saying, “Today, we are meeting Liri, Daniela, Naama and Karina after 477 days in captivity. This is an unimaginable reality. We are prepared to handle any medical condition that may arise.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for all released captives to receive comprehensive medical screening. Some hostages have been diagnosed with PTSD, malnutrition and untreated injuries from their captivity. The Forum has urged the Israeli government to publish a full medical report for all released captives, but authorities have declined, citing security concerns. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive medical care for all released captives.
### The Ceasefire Deal and Remaining Hostages
The Gaza ceasefire deal, brokered by Qatar and Egypt with US backing, called for Hamas to release 33 hostages in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The second phase of releases covered men of military age — negotiations are ongoing. Israel says those convicted of killing Israelis will not be permitted to return home.
Around 70 prisoners were deported to Egypt, and from there to another country, possibly Turkiye, Qatar or Algeria. Another 16 were sent to Gaza and the rest released to the West Bank, where crowds waved Palestinian flags in Ramallah. Hamas took 251 hostages during the October 7 attack. Israeli authorities have not published a full public count of remaining captives, citing security considerations, so exact figures circulating in media reports should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed totals.
**How many hostages remain?** The next prisoner exchange — covering men of military age — is the next major hurdle. Monitor mediator statements for updates. The window for a successful deal is narrowing.
Stay alert. Check back for developments.
