ISRAELI troops began pulling out of Gaza yesterday as a senior medic warned the freed hostages would need a lifetime to recover.
Israel Defence Forces were given a day to withdraw to an agreed line following their government’s acceptance of Donald Trump’s peace deal.
AFPPortraits of hostages and victims of the Hamas attack on the wall outside the New Synagogue in Berlin[/caption]
ReutersProf Hagai Levine, far right, will help lead the reception team[/caption]
Hamas will then have 72 hours — until 10am UK time on Monday — to release the 20 living hostages and bodies of 28 others.
Prof Hagai Levine, who will help lead the reception team, told The Sun: “They may be well enough to walk to freedom but underlying medical conditions are likely, possibly including long-term cardiac and renal issues. We are talking about a lifetime of recovery.
“The psychological and physical stress they have been under is also likely to have speeded up the ageing process in some cases.
“I have also been speaking to some relatives who find the final hours of waiting completely unbearable. Some have asked for medication saying: ‘I can’t take any more. Put me to sleep until he is free.’”
Prof Levin said some would arrive with lice, parasites, bacteria and viruses. Many will have been kept isolated, in poor ventilation, temperature and unable to move.
He added: “So their muscles and their ability to walk is impaired, even their ability to speak.
“They will have been dehumanised. Our focus will be on making them human again — not hostages.”
The professor, chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians, also warned of the danger of heart attacks among relatives overwhelmed by joy.
He said the hostages would first be handed over to the Red Cross then taken to a reception centre to meet relatives and be medically assessed.
From there, any in life-threatening condition will be taken to one of two intensive care units in southern Israel.
Those out of danger will be moved by helicopter to three other hospitals, including one close to Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv.
Details of the mass release plan remained unclear last night.
Hamas officials say they may have lost track of up to 15 dead hostages.
Previously, the terror group’s fighters have staged parades which have seen emaciated hostages manhandled through chanting crowds before reaching Red Cross vehicles.
Fine print in Trump’s deal warns hostages must be returned in a dignified manner “without any public ceremonies or media coverage”.
Explosions were reported overnight as Israel claimed it was deploying covering fire for withdrawing troops.
AFPPeople walk past posters of hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel[/caption]
Once Israel’s captives are free, about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails will be released, along with 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
Yesterday’s long-awaited pause in fighting also triggered an immediate flood of humanitarian aid into Gaza at a rate of 600 trucks a day.
The US yesterday said 200 of its troops would boost security and oversee the Israeli withdrawal — but will not set foot in Gaza.
They may be backed by more soldiers from Egypt and Qatar.
Once the initial phase ends, further talks will focus on the establishment of Gaza’s Board of Peace which Trump wants ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair to run.
Hamas and other Palestinian factions have already raised serious objections to Sir Tony’s role after he presided over the 2003 Iraq War.
And months of tough talks will now follow over Trump’s proposals to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza — left a ruin by Israeli bombing after the October 7, 2023 attack.
The IDF confirmed yesterday: “The ceasefire agreement came into effect at 12.00 (10am UK time).
“IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages.”
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said troops would remain in Gaza until Hamas disarmed.
And Gazans, elated as fighting ceased, spoke of their fears as they faced an uncertain future yesterday.
Mohammad al Farra said: “We lost loved ones, homes, and a generation of students.
“We don’t know where to begin rebuilding.”
Mohamed al Nashar added: “We are very cautious.
“Strikes are still happening.”
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