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Jerusalem, Israel — The Israeli government has halted funding for psychological assistance to families of recently released hostages, sparking outcry among relatives and politicians alike.
According to a report by N12, a policy requiring the termination of mental health support for families as soon as a hostage is released has now been enforced by the National Insurance Institute (NII).
For many, this sudden policy implementation cuts off vital mental health services needed to cope with the lasting trauma of captivity and the complexities of returning to everyday life.
The families of returned hostages, who are grateful to have their loved ones home, are nonetheless grappling with the long-term psychological effects of their ordeal.
From post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to severe anxiety, family members of former captives often face unique challenges as they navigate their own trauma and provide support for their loved ones.
The decision to end mental health support, which was originally granted only during the hostage’s captivity, has left families feeling abandoned at a time when they need continued assistance.
A Policy with a Painful Limitation
As stipulated by current Israeli law, psychological support funding ends once the hostage is physically returned.
However, NII had previously delayed enforcement of this provision, recognizing the exceptional psychological toll on families and the need for continuity of care.
That grace period has now ended, and families recently received notice that as of October, they are no longer eligible for the funding.
For families who waited anxiously for months or even years for their loved ones to return, the abrupt loss of psychological assistance has been particularly distressing.
Many have only recently begun to process their experiences and engage in therapy. A young woman, whose mother was held hostage in Gaza, shared with N12 her frustration and sadness at the funding cut.
“I only started my therapy in March; the absurdity is that I couldn’t even begin treatment while my mother was in captivity because of the struggle I had to manage,” she said. “And now that I’ve finally started, they’ve announced that it’s over.”
Calls for Responsibility and Support
The family members impacted by this decision argue that the government’s sudden policy shift dismisses the enduring psychological scars left by the ordeal.
In the words of the same young woman, the funding is not only a financial lifeline but also represents a symbolic acknowledgment of the state’s responsibility toward families affected by hostage crises.
“For me, this means that the state is taking responsibility for its neglect,” she told N12. “It’s important that the state pays for it.”
The Hostage and Missing Families’ Forum, a group that advocates for the rights and needs of families affected by abductions, is now considering whether it can provide financial assistance to replace the government funds.
However, they have highlighted the importance of a systemic approach, expressing concerns that charitable contributions alone are unlikely to meet the high demand for continued mental health support among impacted families.
Broader Implications for Mental Health in Israel
The situation has sparked a national conversation on the broader issue of mental health services for individuals affected by trauma, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza.
The abrupt end to support is seen as part of a larger systemic issue in Israel’s mental health framework, which some argue fails to sufficiently address the long-term impact of trauma on family members.
Member of Knesset (MK) Karine Elharrar, from the Yesh Atid party, responded strongly to the N12 report on the platform X (formerly Twitter), denouncing the decision.
“It is unacceptable that the families of the returning hostages, who are a significant anchor in their lives on the road to rehabilitation, do not receive support from the state,” she stated.
She emphasized the need for these families to have ongoing psychological support, describing them as “the first point of contact for stories of horror” and individuals who need specialized tools to help their loved ones adjust back to “normalcy” in the shadow of trauma.
She further criticized the government, calling the decision to end support “heartless” and vowing to address the issue with the Health Minister. “Only a heartless government would not understand this and would cut off their mental health assistance,” she noted.
The Burden of Trauma: Stories from Families
The loss of government-backed psychological support has put immense pressure on families who already feel they have borne the brunt of both emotional and financial strain.
Relatives of hostages share a common thread of fear, helplessness, and ongoing mental health challenges.
Many have suffered from anxiety, nightmares, and severe stress throughout their loved ones’ captivity, often suppressing their own needs while hoping for a reunion.
Several families have reported that even after a loved one’s return, the transition back to everyday life has been jarring and difficult.
Children and spouses of former hostages, in particular, are struggling to cope with feelings of insecurity and the fear that their loved ones may be taken again.
Many families say they need professional guidance to help process their trauma, manage anxiety, and rebuild trust. In addition to PTSD, some families experience depression, emotional numbness, and difficulty sleeping—all symptoms commonly associated with trauma.
The process of reintegration can also be isolating for families, who may feel that those around them cannot fully understand or relate to the intensity of their experiences.
The sudden cutoff in support has added to this isolation, leaving families to bear the burden of healing largely on their own.
A Call for Long-Term Solutions
Mental health professionals and human rights organizations are now calling for policy changes to address the mental health needs of hostage families over the long term.
Advocacy groups argue that the arbitrary limitation on support only while a hostage is in captivity ignores the psychological reality of trauma, which often continues well after a crisis ends.
Psychologists and trauma specialists stress that it can take months or even years for individuals to fully process such experiences, especially when they involve prolonged captivity and fear for a loved one’s life.
In their view, ending support immediately upon a hostage’s release is counterproductive, as families are often only beginning to process their trauma at that stage.
The Hostage and Missing Families’ Forum has urged the government to reinstate funding and has requested a broader evaluation of how Israel provides mental health services to its citizens impacted by hostage crises.
The group insists that a sustainable model of care is necessary to ensure that families are able to access the resources they need for recovery.
Looking Forward
For now, families impacted by the government’s decision are left grappling with uncertain futures. Some have turned to private donors and community organizations for help, while others have considered legal action to push the government to resume support.
Mental health advocates warn that without intervention, the families of former hostages are at risk of worsening psychological conditions and ongoing trauma.
MK Karine Elharrar’s pledge to bring the issue to the Health Minister offers a glimmer of hope for these families, who have voiced a strong desire for the government to acknowledge its role in their recovery.
The psychological impact of hostage situations does not end upon a person’s release, they argue, and the state has a responsibility to provide comprehensive support until families have genuinely healed.
As discussions continue, many are watching closely to see if Israeli leaders will take action to address this gap in mental health policy, offering not only financial assistance but also the reassurance that no family impacted by trauma will have to face the journey alone.