More medical and psychological tests for freed women todaypublished at 07:47 Greenwich Mean Time 20 January
Mark Lowen
Reporting from Sheba Hospital, Tel Aviv
I’m outside the wing of Sheba Hospital - Israel’s largest - where the first released hostages have just spent their first night of freedom.
I’m told their families stayed with them here overnight, where they’ve been given private rooms with living rooms, along with a chef to cater to what they want.
After an initial assessment last night, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher will undergo comprehensive medical tests today, along with psychological assessments.
As it was put to me: while it may seem that they’re in a stable condition on the outside, it’s what’s happening inside after more than 15 months in captivity which is far less clear.
They’re expected to stay here for a few days.
In the pictures of their release last night, it was clear that Emily Damari had lost two of her fingers, after she was shot by Hamas on the day she was abducted.
Sheba Hospital deals with the majority of Israeli soldiers returning from Lebanon and Gaza, so they have extensive experience of dealing with such injuries and worse - and she’ll be given the necessary orthopaedic care during her stay.

Doron Steinbrecher embraces loved ones, in this photo released by the Israeli government yesterday