Israeli doctor believes injured Hamas terrorists brought to hospital must be saved despite their heinous crimes

Last week, following reports that injured Hamas terrorists responsible for the Oct. 7 massacre were receiving medical care in Israel, Health Minister Moshe Arbel made the decision to no longer treat terrorists in the nation's public hospitals but instead to have them transferred to the Israel Prison Center for further handling.

Local Ynet news interviewed an unnamed Israeli doctor about the ethical dilemma of rescuing the life of a Hamas terrorist with so much blood on his hands.

According to the doctor, who had treated one of the terrorists, saving lives are paramount to anything else, including the brutal attacks committed by patients who are “the essence of evil.”

“There is no question about whether to provide medical care to save lives… As medical professionals, myself and my colleagues, we are duty-bound to provide medical care to every patient, and it is our responsibility to approach this task in a humane manner... Therefore, when a terrorist seeks lifesaving medical care, the decision should be clear: To provide treatment. Let the court determine their fate afterwards,” the doctor said.

The terrorist that was treated by the doctor had been in surgery for orthopedic, abdominal and eye injuries and was then transferred to the Israel Prison Service’s medical center. While under treatment at the hospital, he was guarded by soldiers and isolated in a separate room from other patients.

Ynet asked the doctor if he wondered, during treatment, if the terrorist had been among those raping women or murdering children.

“Throughout the treatment, there is a complete disconnection from the situation,” the doctor responded. “I absolutely think about it, but only after I've concluded the treatment and exited the room, particularly when I'm driving home.”

The doctor said that refusal to provide treatment to terrorists is “incredibly dangerous.”

“This is an incredibly dangerous route we must avoid. Despite their malevolence, without a commitment to care for everyone, individuals might decide whom to treat based on personal judgment. This establishes a dangerous precedent – one we must firmly avoid,” the doctor stated.

Ynet also interviewed the chief nurse who tended to the terrorist. She spoke of the difficulty of finding other medical personnel willing to help the terrorist.

“Last Thursday, at 6 a.m., I received information that a terrorist, previously hospitalized in another facility, was on his way to our emergency room,” the nurse said.

“I felt terrible about it. I was extremely stressed because I didn't know how the team would respond. While we have treated terrorists before, given the enormity of this disaster, I knew it wouldn't be straightforward this time," she said.

I approached each nurse individually, asking who was willing to care for him. Two nurses sat down, clearly distressed, and began to cry. I realized there was no option but for me to handle it personally. My deputy agreed to assist. Later, another nurse, whose husband is a police officer, volunteered to help, despite the immense challenge. The three of us shared the responsibility.”

The nurse spoke about the enormous ethical dilemma involved in having to treat a terrorist who just participated in the worst massacre on Jews since the Holocaust and how she sought to legitimize the work she does.

“This is undeniably one of the most challenging tasks I've ever faced as a nurse. What provided me with solace was the knowledge that, once he recovers, he will be thoroughly investigated and, therefore, would contribute to our nation's safety."

"I reminded myself that refusing to care for him would make me no different from Hamas terrorists. I, unlike them, retain my humanity. Throughout his treatment, various disturbing thoughts like 'Why did he do this?' would surface, but whenever thoughts about 'What exactly did he do?' arose, I pushed them aside; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to continue."

"I eagerly awaited the end of his treatment and his transfer to the Israel Prison Center, and when it finally happened, I breathed a sigh of relief,” the nurse added.