Israel has announced a comprehensive aid package for the 33 hostages expected to return from Hamas captivity in Gaza, including lifelong financial support, medical care, and mental health services.
The package, revealed by Israel's National Insurance Institute, provides immediate cash assistance and long-term benefits designed to help survivors rebuild their lives after months in captivity. Each returnee will receive an immediate $2,700 payment upon arrival at Israeli hospitals, followed by additional payments totaling over $10,000 in their first three months home.
"We're ensuring every survivor has support from the moment they return," said a National Insurance Institute spokesperson. "These people are recognized as terror victims for life, with all the rights and protections that status provides."
Key benefits include:
• Monthly payments ranging from $900 to $1,350, depending on age
• Full coverage of mental health services, including trauma therapy
• Housing assistance worth up to $82,000 for first-time home buyers
• Vehicle purchase grants up to $40,000
• Complete medical coverage outside standard healthcare for three years
• Educational support for survivors' children
The package also extends mental health support to immediate family members, including spouses, parents, and children up to age 30, acknowledging the widespread impact of the captivity ordeal on families.
Survivors can access specialized services including service dogs for those who need them, home modifications for medical needs, and professional rehabilitation programs. The government has pledged to fast-track all applications and minimize bureaucracy for the returning hostages.
This announcement comes as Israeli officials prepare for what could be the largest hostage release since the October attacks. Support services and medical teams are already positioning at designated reception facilities, ready to begin the challenging process of helping survivors readjust to freedom.
"The physical return home is just the first step," said a rehabilitation expert familiar with the program. "Our real work begins with helping these survivors rebuild their lives and cope with their experiences. This package ensures they'll have the resources to do that."
The comprehensive nature of the support package reflects lessons learned from previous hostage situations and input from trauma specialists, making it one of the most extensive survivor support programs ever implemented. Officials emphasize that the program will remain flexible and can be adjusted based on individual needs as survivors begin their recovery journey.
Israel National News contributed to this deal.
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