Israeli Defense Minister Orders Urgent Probe into Alleged Mistreatment of Wounded Soldiers at Rambam Hospital

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to urgently and thoroughly investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct by staff at Rambam Hospital towards soldiers severely wounded in Lebanon. Katz instructed the military to collaborate with all relevant parties and report the findings to him. He emphasized the need to examine the treatment of the injured soldiers and the respect shown to them and their families.

Katz stated that if the allegations prove true and serious misconduct occurred, appropriate measures must be taken against those responsible, and lessons learned to prevent recurrence. "I view very seriously the testimonies regarding behavior towards wounded IDF soldiers at the hospital," Katz said, adding that these soldiers deserve the best care and respectful treatment.

The directive follows a social media post by Yehoshua Shani, father of Captain Uri Shani, who raised serious claims about the care and treatment of his nephew Eitan and his family. Eitan was critically injured in Lebanon and hospitalized at Rambam alongside three other soldiers. According to Shani, after Eitan awoke from sedation, family members were removed from the ward at night and repeatedly denied brief visits. He alleged that staff moved Eitan roughly, causing his head to hit the bed, and that no staff were present when Eitan requested water.

Shani also mentioned that the nursing staff on duty spoke Arabic, though he clarified he was not accusing all Arabic-speaking staff of wrongdoing but requested this aspect be investigated. He demanded that Rambam and the IDF preserve security footage, identify staff on duty, clarify why families were removed, and review the care provided.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned the alleged mistreatment as a serious scandal that should concern all Israeli citizens. He called for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation, including whether any incidents involved nationalist-motivated harassment. Ben-Gvir stressed that anyone harming wounded soldiers or their families must face consequences and urged Rambam’s management and the Ministry of Health to act decisively if the claims are substantiated.