Outrageous: Fury erupts as Israel moves to ban Hamas terrorists being treated in Israeli hospitals

Since Hamas’s deadly attack on October 7, 2023, an estimated 150 to 200 terrorists have been treated in the same hospitals as the civilians they victimized. The shocking reality that terrorists and their victims sometimes share hospital wards has fueled intense anger across the country.

On Monday, Israel’s National Security Committee convened to address the issue. Committee Chair MK Boaz Bismuth voiced his strong disapproval, calling the situation "infuriating and surreal" and stating that it "has no place in the country anymore." He added that in some cases, terrorists were receiving treatment "shoulder-to-shoulder with their victims," further intensifying the public’s ire.

The meeting was requested by representatives from eight political parties, ranging from the right-wing Otzma Yehudit to the centrist Yesh Atid. Despite the consensus on ending the practice, MK Yulia Malinovsky revealed troubling allegations about the lack of transparency. She claimed that "the system is silencing the event," and suggested that physicians are not allowed to speak openly about the matter. "When they do, the system takes revenge on them," she added, raising concerns about potential reprisals for healthcare workers who try to address the issue.

One potential solution that emerged during the meeting was the expansion of medical facilities within prisons, allowing specialists to care for terrorists without them entering public hospitals. However, this plan faces challenges. Dr. Miriam Madar from Prison Medical Services pointed out that medical staff often cannot easily distinguish between life-threatening and non-life-threatening cases, complicating the decision to transfer patients to prison facilities.

Israel’s Patient Rights Law stipulates that hospitals must provide treatment in life-threatening situations or in cases of severe disability. This law has led to controversial cases where even terrorists, such as Yahya Sinwar—one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attack—have received life-saving medical care. In 2004, Sinwar underwent brain surgery after doctors discovered a tumor, an operation that likely saved his life.

As the debate continues, many Israelis are left questioning whether the practice of treating terrorists in hospitals should be reconsidered, especially in light of the violence they have caused. With widespread frustration and a growing call for action, it remains to be seen how the Israeli government will respond to these concerns moving forward.