At least three Hezbollah operatives captured during fighting in southern Lebanon were treated at Ziv Medical Center in Safed about two weeks ago, according to a report published by The Times of Israel. The detainees were held in a separate guarded room, handcuffed and blindfolded, under close Israel Defense Forces supervision while receiving medical care.
The disclosure raises questions about Israel’s policy for treating captured enemies, especially after the Health Ministry decided in October 2023 that detained militants should be treated only in IDF or Israel Prison Service medical facilities, not in civilian hospitals. The article says that ruling was mainly aimed at Hamas suspects after the October 7 attack, though it has reportedly been violated in other cases as well.
The IDF did not deny the report, but said that as part of its security efforts over the past year it has carried out various actions, including arrests of suspects involved in terror activity against Israeli civilians or IDF forces. It said detainees who need medical treatment receive it from qualified military medical teams, and in some cases are transferred to hospitals when medically necessary.
Ziv Medical Center declined to confirm the specific details, citing medical confidentiality, privacy, and security concerns. It said it acts according to law, state instructions, and medical ethics, and treats anyone brought to it whose condition requires it. The IDF added that detainees are monitored medically as needed, with regular checks and 24/7 security when they are transferred to hospitals to prevent any danger to nearby civilians. The case comes amid ongoing tension in the north and continued IDF activity in southern Lebanon after repeated Hezbollah violations of the ceasefire.
