Family Challenges Rambam Hospital Inquiry Over Soldier's Treatment After Lebanon Injury
The family of an Israeli soldier injured in a Lebanon incident on August 6, 2026, has rejected Rambam Hospital's internal investigation into his treatment, claiming no one from the hospital spoke to them during the inquiry. David Chesterman, the soldier's brother, who was present during the specific night shift in question, told Maariv that despite the hospital's claim of a thorough investigation, none of the family members who raised the allegations were interviewed. Chesterman emphasized that the rapid release of the hospital's findings, just hours after his Instagram post, raised doubts about the depth of the inquiry.
The soldier was hospitalized in Rambam's intensive care unit after sustaining severe injuries in a combat incident that also killed two soldiers and injured four others. Chesterman recounted that his brother described being handled roughly by the medical staff during a night shift, including an incident where his head was reportedly slammed against a metal bed frame. While acknowledging that repositioning burn patients is necessary and painful, Chesterman stressed that the manner of treatment was excessively aggressive and distressing.
Chesterman also criticized the hospital for locking families out during the night shift change when a new team, all Arabic speakers, took over care. He said the injured soldiers were left alone behind locked doors, and family requests to check on the soldier were repeatedly denied until he forcibly entered the room. The soldier was reportedly left thirsty and in pain, with no staff nearby.
The family expressed frustration that public discourse shifted towards allegations of racism due to the Arabic-speaking staff, which Chesterman said distracted from the core issue of whether the soldier was mistreated. He also criticized the Israeli military for not adequately supporting or investigating the matter, though he praised his brother's unit for their ongoing support.
Rambam Hospital responded that all patients, including IDF soldiers, receive professional care and that the investigation found no evidence of misconduct. They stated that families were allowed to stay with patients except when urgent medical procedures required their temporary removal. The hospital declined to discuss private medical details but noted no complaints were raised during the soldier's hospitalization. The IDF said it acted promptly upon receiving the complaint and maintained ongoing contact with the soldier and family.
The soldier's condition is gradually improving after transfer to Sheba Medical Center, with his facial burns healing and family visits resumed. Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered a thorough military investigation into the treatment and family relations, promising accountability if serious failings are confirmed.
