The Health Ministry issued new guidelines Thursday for hospitals preparing to receive hostages released during the upcoming Gaza ceasefire agreement, including administering tests for sexually transmitted diseases as well as pregnancy tests for female hostages.

Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Health Ministry’s General Medicine Division, said the updated protocols differs “significantly” from those implemented for hostages released during the temporary ceasefire deal of November 2023, when 105 hostages were released.

Returnees will be emerging from  more than 15 months in captivity.

“There is a risk that returning hostages may develop Refeeding Syndrome,” Dr. Mizrahi explained. “This condition arises when individuals deprived of food during captivity attempt to compensate by consuming carbohydrates, potentially leading to serious harm.”

Mizrahi said there will be documentation and collection of forensic evidence from any cruelties hostages have suffered. Among other things, hostages will undergo tests for sexually transmitted diseases, with female abductees given pregnancy tests.

The protocol advises a minimum hospital stay of four days........

© The Times of Israel