Israeli Supreme Court Halts Plan to Send Palestinian Patients Back to Gaza
In a dramatic turn of events, Israel’s Supreme Court has put a temporary stop to the government’s controversial plan to repatriate a group of Palestinian patients currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals in East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv back to Gaza.
The decision comes after a petition filed by the Israeli non-profit organization Physicians for Human Rights Israel, spurred by a recent CNN report shedding light on the plight of these Palestinian hospital patients.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, spokesperson Ran Yaron condemned the government’s actions, stating, “Returning residents to Gaza during a military conflict and a humanitarian crisis is against international law and poses a deliberate risk to innocent lives.”
The Israeli Supreme Court’s temporary injunction has effectively halted the government’s plans to send approximately two dozen Palestinian patients and their companions back to Gaza, originally scheduled for early Thursday morning.
Hospital officials confirmed to CNN that the repatriation has been postponed until at least Monday, following the court’s intervention.
Among the patients affected are five newborn babies and their mothers residing at Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem, as well as cancer patients undergoing treatment at Augusta Victoria Hospital.
The emotional turmoil faced by these patients was captured by CNN, with mothers torn between the desire to reunite with family in Gaza and the instinct to protect their vulnerable newborns by staying in Jerusalem.
Nima Abu Garrara, one of the affected mothers, expressed her fears about returning to Gaza with her newborn twins, highlighting the dire conditions and uncertainty facing them in their homeland.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel criticized the government’s lack of transparency in their decision-making process, emphasizing the illegality of repatriating patients to a volatile region during a time of conflict.
Despite the ongoing challenges and restrictions, hospital officials are working tirelessly to advocate for their patients’ well-being and ensure they receive the necessary medical care and support.
The situation remains fluid as stakeholders navigate the complex dynamics of healthcare delivery in the midst of geopolitical tensions and humanitarian crises.
