Released hostages Maxim Herkin and Shlomi Ziv spoke at the first national military medicine conference at Bar-Ilan University, sharing their experiences of maintaining mental health during captivity in Gaza. Herkin, who was held for two years, emphasized the importance of faith and mutual support among captives, describing how they encouraged each other through difficult moments. Ziv, rescued in June 2024, discussed living with post-traumatic stress and the coping strategies he used, including managing the situation and seeking help. Both urged military medics to continue their vital work, stressing the importance of ongoing support and therapy for soldiers.