Israel's Supreme Court has blocked a government plan to send a group of Palestinian patients to Gaza. Wednesday's decision allows the group, mostly cancer patients, to stay in East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
After CNN reported on the government's plan, human rights group Physicians for Human Rights (PHRI) filed a petition with the Supreme Court on behalf of patients. The group of patients was scheduled to be taken to Gaza on buses on Thursday morning, but a High Court ruling temporarily postponed that. PHRI welcomed the ruling, saying it “for now blocks the deportation to Gaza of 20 Palestinian patients and their accompanying relatives, including children battling cancer and recovering from bone marrow transplants.” It was extremely successful.”
PHRI Director Guy Shalev condemned the need for the High Court action, calling the government's attempt to send patients to Gaza immoral. “All Israelis should be alarmed by the complete lack of restraint evident in these actions.” “This moral stain will not go away unless Israelis open their eyes to what is being done in Israel's name and insist on maintaining clear boundaries.”
Most of the patients in question were being treated in Israel before the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's ensuing siege of Gaza. Some patients no longer require hospital treatment, but hospital officials told CNN they will not be forced to leave the hospital. Nevertheless, officials say they faced significant pressure from the Ministry of Defense to discharge patients before the government officially decided to send them back to Gaza. Doctors said they felt helpless, and the hospital's CEO said: “At the end of the day, it's not our decision. And this is really frustrating. We [have not been] Since the war began, we have been able to help the people of Gaza. As doctors, we feel every day that there is nothing we can do. ”
Patients who were scheduled to be sent to Gaza expressed anxiety about returning to the besieged area after nearly six months of war. Nima Abu Galala, who was brought to East Jerusalem from Rafah on October 5 to give birth to twins, told CNN where she would take them if she was sent back to Gaza. He said he didn't know. “Where should I go with them? Where can I buy diapers and milk?” she continued. “Gaza is no longer the same. They might invade Rafa when I return. I am responsible for anything that harms them. I almost died when I came here and stayed here to protect them.”
The Gaza Strip has been ravaged by six months of war, with reports from the BBC and the Guardian showing that at least half of the buildings in the strip, including the entire strip, have been damaged or destroyed. Israeli attacks hit locations such as medical facility and refugee campand human rights group have accused of israel war crimes. This had a devastating impact on civilians. More than 30,000 people have died, most of them civilians, while survivors face a collapsed health system and imminent starvation.
Palestinian rights groups and President Mahmoud Abbas say Israel's actions constitute genocide, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued the order. Israel must “take all steps within its power” to prevent “plausible” genocide in Gaza. South Africa recently asked the ICJ to approve additional emergency measures against Israel amid “widespread hunger.” Israel denies the allegations, saying Hamas continues to infiltrate civilian facilities, and asked the ICJ to reject South Africa's request.
