Hamas publicly calls for Israel’s destruction but privately is thankful for its existence, especially for the medical treatment it provides to Palestinian Arabs.
Hamas terrorists on parade. (Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib/ Flash90)
Israeli security forces arrested Ramzi Afana, a Hamas terrorist who entered Israel to receive medical treatment and then exploited his permit to stay illegally in the Jewish state.
Afana joined the Hamas terror organization in 2005, working as a recruiter for the terror organization by indoctrinating youth with Islamic teachings and Hamas dogmas.
In 2008 he joined the Hamas police in the Gaza Strip and took part in its military training.
At the end of 2013 he received special permission to enter Israel from the Gaza Strip for the purpose of receiving medical treatment at an Israeli facility. His entry visa expired, but he did not return to Gaza, remaining in Judea and Samaria until his arrest in December.
Israel’s southern district attorney submitted an indictment against Afana, charging him with a list of security-related offenses, including contact with a foreign agent, activity within an illegal association, military training and weapons offenses and illegally staying in Israel.
Hamas Prefers Israeli Medical Treatment
Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzouk. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)
Gaza Arabs and Hamas leaders regularly seek medical treatment in Israel. They know that their relatives will receive top-of-the-line treatment, regardless of their background.
Halamia Shcata, 60, the sister of senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk, was treated in an Israeli hospital in November.
The daughter of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh received treatment in Israel in October after suffering complications from a routine procedure in Gaza. She was saved by Israeli doctors at an Israeli medical facility.
Haniyeh’s granddaughter was treated at an Israeli hospital last November, while his mother-in-law received care in June.
Just a few days after the launch of Operation Brother’s Keeper at the beginning of the summer to locate three Israeli boys abducted and murdered by Hamas, Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas’s wife received treatment at an Israeli hospital.
By Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel