Behind the absorption of the hostages in Israel: "Everyone understood the magnitude of the moment"

In an interview with Channel 14, commanders responsible for receiving the hostages at the Re'im camp reveal the sensitive logistical preparations. They turned bare rooms into a homey space with personal equipment and bedding, prepared personalized food menus in coordination with the Medical Corps, and even bought toys for the returnees' children to ease the first family meeting. The commanders describe a sense of mission and national pride.

In an interview with Channel 14, a year after the release of the last living hostages on the eve of Simchat Torah 5786, commanders responsible for their reception at the Re'im camp reveal the complex logistical preparations. Lt. Col. T., commander of the training and driving track at Base 6, says they received buildings with completely bare rooms and turned them into a homey space with personal equipment and bedding. Capt. (res.) S., commander of the training company, describes how the soldiers carried furniture, cleaned, and arranged everything out of a sense of mission: "Everyone understood the magnitude of the moment." Coordination with the Technology and Logistics Directorate and the Medical Corps included building personalized food menus for the returnees, without knowing their medical condition in advance. In one case, toys and gifts were purchased for a returnee's children, so that the father could give them himself and ease the reunion. The commanders emphasized the importance of maintaining the privacy of the returnees and their families, while providing a full intimate space. Lt. Col. T., who fought in the Gaza Strip and took part in hostage rescue operations, describes the moment as "an amazing national and personal closing of a circle."