In the brisk winter chill, two stories are about to unfold in parallel - one of joyful reunions, the other of final farewells. As the nation holds its breath, officials prepare for both triumph and tragedy.
Israeli officials are making the grimmest of preparations as they expect dozens of Gaza hostages to be returned dead, even as hopes remain high for the rescue of those still alive.
Support teams spoke to Walla News about their preparations for what one coordinator called "our darkest duty." While some families have already steeled themselves for the worst, others may face sudden devastating news about loved ones taken during the October 7 attacks.
"We'll see families celebrating reunions with living hostages while others begin their final goodbyes," said a senior support official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of their role. "The contrast will be devastating."
Many victims will be laid to rest in their home kibbutzim - Be'eri, Nir Oz, and Kfar Aza - the same communities they were taken from during Hamas's attack. In a particularly poignant decision, victims from the Nova music festival massacre will be buried side by side.
Mental health teams are mobilizing to support both the bereaved families and the support staff themselves. "The emotional toll will be immense," explained one psychological support coordinator. "We're preparing for scenes of unimaginable grief."
Officials are drawing on their experience from the immediate aftermath of October 7, when they handled mass casualties from the initial attack. "Just as we managed then, we'll ensure every hostage receives a dignified burial," a team leader said. "But knowing some of these families have spent months hoping for their loved ones' return makes this uniquely painful."
The preparations include readying coffins and burial plots while establishing support networks for what officials expect to be a prolonged period of national mourning. "This will be the final chapter for some hostages," one official noted. "Our role is to help these families begin their long journey of grief with all the support we can provide."
In the coming days, across Israel's sun-scorched earth, some families will embrace their returning loved ones while others will touch cold stone. A nation prepares to both celebrate and mourn, knowing that each sunrise brings them closer to answers they may not wish to hear.
Walla! contributed to this article.
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