Freed Hostage Denied Rights: Shocking Bureaucracy After Decade in Hamas Captivity

Hisham Al-Sayed, a Bedouin from Hura, returned to Israel in February 2025 after nearly a decade in Hamas captivity, yet he is denied the automatic disability benefits granted to hostages abducted on October 7, 2023. Israeli law distinguishes between those kidnapped during the 2023 attack, who receive an automatic 50% disability rating for post-traumatic stress, and earlier captives like Al-Sayed, who require medical committee approval. This discrepancy stems from opposition by pre-war hostages to a 2024 law amendment that excludes them, leaving Al-Sayed without the same medical and financial support. Additionally, his family discovered that the Welfare Ministry appointed an external guardian without their consent, further complicating their efforts to secure his rights.

“It all happened without our knowledge; suddenly we found out there’s a shared guardian over Hisham, and there was no one to talk to,” said his father, Shaaban Al-Sayed, in an interview. He criticized the bureaucratic hurdles, stating, “We won’t get rights, only the guardians will. They’re turning this into a business, probably wanting to involve some entity to deal with the money.” Shaaban expressed frustration with the guardian system, noting, “I have to go to him like he’s my father, asking what he’s done about National Insurance recognition, and he has to talk to the hostages’ administration, who then talk to National Insurance. It’s another bureaucratic barrier.”

Al-Sayed receives a monthly grant and benefits under the Captives and Victims of Hostile Acts Laws, but he is excluded from the 2024 amendment granting October 7 hostages full medical coverage for three years and automatic 100% disability status. Shaaban, preoccupied with Hisham’s hospitalization in a psychiatric facility, has not completed the medical committee process. “I’m busy with my son more than with rights,” he said. “We received funds when he was in Gaza and after he returned, but for months we’ve gotten nothing.”

Hisham, diagnosed with schizophrenia before his 2015 capture, remains disoriented, speaking only of pre-captivity memories and avoiding discussion of his ordeal. “He’s in a psychiatric hospital, but with non-severe patients, and he’s progressing,” Shaaban said. “He doesn’t know where he is. He’s floating, talking about people, names, places from before his captivity.” Shaaban remains hopeful, stating, “We’re on the way to National Insurance recognition. It should be straightforward; there shouldn’t be bureaucracy here. We can’t get certificates from Hamas proving they committed hostile acts.”

The Hostages and Missing Persons Directorate stated, “Hisham Al-Sayed is automatically recognized as a victim of hostile acts due to his abduction. He is entitled to a lifelong monthly captives’ grant. The directorate has led legislative changes equating families of past hostages with those of October 7, applied retroactively from October 7, 2023.” However, pre-October 7 captives lack automatic disability recognition, though they receive a “green channel” for faster committee approvals. The Welfare Ministry emphasized providing comprehensive support but cited confidentiality, while Hura’s local council affirmed professional handling of Hisham’s case, noting Shaaban’s request to transfer welfare services was subject to residency change protocols.