By: Tzirel Rosenblatt

A sense of cautious relief spread across Jerusalem’s medical community on Tuesday morning as hospitals announced that nearly all of the infants evacuated from a Romema neighborhood daycare — the site of a heartbreaking incident that claimed the lives of two babies — have now been discharged in good health. According to detailed updates provided by medical officials and a report by Israel National News, the vast majority of the young children who had been rushed to emergency care are recovering normally following extensive examinations and overnight observation.

The developments come after a day of intense anxiety and confusion that shook the capital and captured the attention of the entire country. As Israel National News reported on Monday, emergency responders were summoned to the daycare facility after multiple infants exhibited signs of distress. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to the tragic deaths of two babies — aged two months and four months — and the evacuation of approximately 70 other children to several Jerusalem hospitals for urgent evaluation.

By Tuesday morning, however, the picture had changed dramatically. Medical centers involved in the response confirmed that the overwhelming majority of the evacuated infants had been released to their families after doctors determined that no serious or lingering medical issues were present.

Hadassah Medical Center, which received the largest number of children, issued a comprehensive update cited in the Israel National News report. Officials there reported that 43 infants had been brought in for monitoring at both the Hadassah Mount Scopus and Hadassah Ein Kerem campuses. After thorough medical assessments, most of those children were discharged in good condition.

“Following careful observation and a full range of examinations, we are pleased to report that the vast majority of the infants have returned home,” a Hadassah spokesperson said in remarks relayed by Israel National News. “Our teams worked throughout the night to ensure that every child received appropriate care and attention.”

Only three infants remained hospitalized as of Tuesday morning, and even in those cases, doctors stressed that their continued stay was unrelated to the daycare incident. According to the hospital’s statement, those children were being treated for minor winter illnesses — common seasonal conditions that posed no long-term danger.

A similar picture emerged at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, which had admitted 27 children in the immediate aftermath of the emergency. As Israel National News reported, hospital administrators confirmed that all of those infants were discharged Tuesday morning after undergoing a battery of diagnostic tests.

“The children were kept under close supervision, and all examinations returned normal results,” Shaare Zedek officials said in their update. “We are thankful that the situation has stabilized and that these young patients were able to go home healthy.”

The swift improvement in the condition of so many children has provided a measure of solace to a city still grappling with the emotional weight of the tragedy. Yet the events of the past 24 hours have left deep scars, particularly for the families of the two infants who did not survive.

The initial reports, as documented in the Israel National News report, described a scene of chaos and urgency. Emergency medical personnel, including teams from Magen David Adom, rushed to the daycare after receiving calls about multiple babies experiencing breathing difficulties and other alarming symptoms. Ambulances streamed into the neighborhood, and parents hurried to hospitals desperate for information about their children.

Medical centers responded with extraordinary speed and coordination. Reinforced teams of doctors, nurses, respiratory technicians, and social workers were mobilized to handle the sudden influx of patients. According to the information provided in the Israel National News report, these multidisciplinary units worked tirelessly through the night, providing not only medical care but also emotional support to anxious parents.

Hospital officials emphasized that the response extended far beyond routine procedures. “This was an exceptional situation requiring an immediate and comprehensive approach,” one senior physician at Hadassah told Israel National News. “Our goal was to stabilize every child, monitor them carefully, and reassure families during an incredibly stressful time.”

While the rapid recovery of most of the infants has been a source of encouragement, investigators continue to search for answers regarding the cause of the incident. At this stage, authorities have not released definitive conclusions about what led to the sudden medical crisis at the daycare.

Israel National News has reported that police and health officials are conducting parallel inquiries, examining environmental factors, potential infections, and other possible triggers. The daycare facility has been temporarily closed as part of the investigation, and forensic specialists have been dispatched to analyze conditions at the site.

Parents and community members have expressed both grief and confusion, struggling to reconcile the normal routines of daily life with an event that unfolded with shocking speed. The Romema neighborhood, home to many young families, has been particularly affected.

Local residents told Israel National News that the daycare was regarded as a trusted institution, making the tragedy all the more difficult to comprehend. “This is a close-knit community,” one neighbor said. “To think that something like this could happen here is devastating.”

Public officials have also weighed in, offering condolences and pledging full transparency as the investigation proceeds. Jerusalem’s mayor issued a statement expressing sorrow for the families of the deceased infants and gratitude to the medical teams whose swift actions likely prevented further loss of life.

“The professionalism and dedication shown by our hospitals and emergency responders were extraordinary,” the mayor said in remarks quoted by Israel National News. “We owe them a tremendous debt of thanks.”

Health experts have cautioned against speculation until more information becomes available. In situations involving clusters of medical symptoms among infants, they note, a wide range of explanations must be considered, from viral outbreaks to environmental exposure. Determining the precise cause often requires painstaking analysis.

For now, the focus remains on supporting the affected families and ensuring that all necessary safeguards are in place to prevent a recurrence. Social workers and counseling services have been made available to parents who endured the harrowing ordeal of seeing their children rushed to hospital care.

Israel National News reported that many parents spent sleepless nights at hospital bedsides, clinging to updates from medical staff. The discharge of their children on Tuesday brought a flood of relief, but also lingering questions and emotional strain.

“This is something no parent should ever have to go through,” one mother told Israel National News as she prepared to take her baby home. “We are grateful beyond words to the doctors and nurses who took care of our children.”

As the city begins to process the incident, medical professionals are reflecting on the lessons learned. The coordinated response demonstrated the resilience and readiness of Jerusalem’s healthcare system, which has frequently been tested by emergencies but rarely under such unusual circumstances.

Hadassah and Shaare Zedek both praised their staff for maintaining composure and professionalism throughout the crisis. “Our teams showed remarkable dedication,” a Hadassah administrator told Israel National News. “Their priority was always the safety and well-being of these infants.”

The coming days are expected to bring further updates from investigators. Health Ministry officials have promised to release findings as soon as credible conclusions are reached, underscoring the importance of public trust and accountability.

Meanwhile, the two families who lost their babies are beginning the painful process of mourning. Community leaders have organized support networks to assist them, reflecting the deep solidarity that often emerges in times of tragedy.

Though many questions remain unanswered, Tuesday’s developments offered a measure of hope amid sorrow. Thanks to rapid medical intervention and vigilant care, dozens of infants who faced potential danger are now safely back in the arms of their parents.

As the Israel National News report observed, the incident serves as both a reminder of life’s fragility and a testament to the skill and compassion of Jerusalem’s healthcare professionals.

For a city accustomed to confronting crises, the past day has been among the most emotionally challenging in recent memory — but also a powerful demonstration of collective resolve.