Israeli Health Ministry prevents treatment for those from Gaza, Lebanon in hospitals in Israel

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) - Israeli Health Minister Uriel Busso canceled a plan by his ministry Friday to allow residents from Gaza and Lebanon to receive medical treatment in hospitals in Israel, according to reports

Busso's announcement comes shortly after the ministry's Director-General Bar Siman Tov issued a directive to allow those evacuated by the Israeli army from Gaza or Lebanon to receive treatment in Israeli hospitals, according to the Jerusalem Post newspaper.

The health minister claimed that the directive was issued without his knowledge or approval.

He stressed that there "is no change in his unequivocal policy of not allowing terrorists as well as residents from Gaza and Lebanon to seek refuge in Israeli hospitals."

The directive to allow treatment of those from Gaza and Lebanon comes after reports said 25 Hamas members, arrested Oct. 7, were treated in Israeli hospitals, prompting opposition to the move among the medical staff, the Jerusalem Post added.