In response to a petition filed by the non-profit organization Physicians for Human Rights Israel, the Israeli Supreme Court has issued a temporary injunction to halt the government's plan to send Palestinian patients back to Gaza. The court's decision comes after CNN reported on the dire situation faced by Palestinian hospital patients, highlighting the risks they would face if forced to return to a region plagued by conflict and a humanitarian crisis.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel argued that returning patients to Gaza during a military conflict and a time of extreme distress is against international law and can potentially endanger innocent lives. The organization expressed grave concern for patients who might face a death sentence due to unsanitary conditions, hunger, and a lack of access to medical care.

Following the appeal, the Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction on Wednesday, preventing the Israeli government from returning around two dozen Palestinian patients and their companions to Gaza. The patients, who had been granted access to Jerusalem hospitals by Israeli authorities before October 7, include five newborn babies and their mothers, as well as cancer patients in remission. Some patients are also receiving treatment at a hospital in the Tel Aviv suburbs.

Initially scheduled to be bussed back to Gaza on Thursday, the patients' return has now been postponed until at least Monday following the court's ruling. Both hospital officials and Dr. Fadi Atrash, CEO of Augusta Victoria Hospital treating Gaza's cancer patients, confirmed the delay. The opportunity for patients to be reunited with their families in Gaza conflicted with their desire to protect their newborns and continue receiving medical care in Jerusalem.

Physicians for Human Rights Israel criticized the government's lack of written directives, suggesting that the security officials themselves are aware of the illegality of the decision. Communication between hospital officials and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has primarily been conducted over the phone, with COGAT stating that Palestinians not in need of further medical treatment would be sent back to Gaza in coordination with international aid organizations.

Dr. Atrash expressed frustration at the limitations imposed by the Israeli government, stating that Gaza has been deprived of adequate healthcare since the beginning of the conflict. COGAT confirmed that patients no longer requiring medical treatment would be returned to Gaza while those needing further care would have their stay coordinated with hospitals to ensure their health.

The temporary injunction issued by the Israeli Supreme Court provides a respite for Palestinian patients, preventing their immediate return to Gaza. However, the situation remains uncertain, and the court's decision has shed light on the challenges faced by those seeking medical treatment amidst ongoing conflict and a worsening humanitarian crisis.