Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire for allegedly blocking plans to establish a field hospital in Israel for sick and injured children from Gaza, as reported by the BBC and other Israeli media outlets. The proposal for the hospital had caused tension between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with Gallant announcing the site earlier in the week as a temporary solution while the Rafah crossing remained closed.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Thursday that Netanyahu had not approved the hospital’s establishment, leading to the plans being shelved. The goal of the hospital was to provide urgent medical care for conditions like cancer, diabetes, and orthopedic injuries until a more permanent solution could be implemented.
Despite efforts from the Defense Ministry to expedite the evacuation of patients from Gaza, there was no response from the Prime Minister’s Office. This comes after previous evacuation efforts for sick Gazan children and coordination between Israel, Egypt, and other international bodies.
Netanyahu’s decision has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, leaving many to question the government’s priorities and commitment to addressing critical health needs.