In a recent controversial operation, Israeli special forces raided a hospital in the northern occupied West Bank to arrest a suspected Palestinian militant. Disguised as civilians, the agents captured the man, Ayman Ghanam, days after he was injured in an Israeli airstrike that killed two Hamas members.
According to a hospital official in Nablus, about 20 Israeli special forces in plain clothes showed up at the facility, using various disguises such as doctors’ and nurses’ uniforms, and even Palestinian women’s clothing. The operation, which lasted less than six minutes, was carried out with surgical precision, from the intrusion to the abduction to the departure.
Witnesses filmed the scene, showing an Israeli agent in a white coat pushing the suspect out of the Nablus hospital in a wheelchair before loading him into an unmarked van. The Israeli army defended the action, saying it was in response to an attempt to eliminate the militant and that security forces acted precisely to apprehend him.
The raid on the hospital sparked strong reactions. The International Committee of the Red Cross stressed that international law prohibits perfidy, which includes impersonating a civilian or non-combatant in order to deceive the adversary. The Palestinian Ministry of Health denounced the operation as a flagrant violation of international laws and conventions that guarantee the protection of treatment centers and patients.
This is not the first time that such a situation has occurred. Last January, Israeli special forces, disguised as civilians and medical personnel, entered the Ibn Sina hospital in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, causing the death of three Palestinians.
This series of incidents highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and underlines the urgency of finding peaceful solutions to conflicts that impact civilians and medical facilities. It is imperative that all parties respect international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of human lives, even in the context of armed conflict.
Ultimately, these events remind us of the critical importance of security and respect for international standards in conflict situations. It is essential that the actors involved act responsibly and implement measures that preserve the lives and dignity of individuals, regardless of their political affiliation. Only an approach based on respect for human rights and dialogue can lead to lasting peace and security for all people in the region.