New Hospital Approved for Construction in Southern Israel Amid Gaza War
Israeli soldiers operate at the Shajaiya district of Gaza city amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terror group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, Dec. 8, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Yossi Zeliger
The Israeli government on Thursday announced the approval of a new hospital to be built in the city of Be’er Sheva, the latest move toward expanding health offerings particularly in southern Israel.
“Today we are taking a big step forward towards the establishment of a new hospital in Be’er Sheva,” Israeli Health Minister Uriel Bosso said in a statement. “This is historic news that will change the face of our health system for generations to come. This is an important move for the Negev, which will lead to an increase in medical assistance in all areas and will directly affect all citizens of Israel.”
He added, “Building a new hospital in the Negev is a just move that will improve the lives and health of the residents, and will be a significant source of employment and research.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who approved the allocation of funds for the construction, also praised the hospital’s approval.
“This is an important and significant decision for Be’er Sheva and the entire southern and Negev region, which will substantially improve medicine in the community and advance the provision of excellent health services to the residents of the south,” he said. “This step is part of a number of steps designed to increase investment in infrastructure in the [Gaza] periphery, and there is no doubt that it will lead to an increase in the population in these areas.”
The new hospital, to be operated by Sheba Medical, will feature 600 beds. Officials hope it will open in 2028 at a cost of 1.5-2.5 billion NIS ($395 million to $659 million).
Opening a new hospital in the southern region is something that has been long debated — the lack of one has created issues during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which borders the Jewish state to the south. Those injured in southern Israel during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, as well as Israeli soldiers injured in the ensuing Gaza war, were forced to be brought to hospitals in the country’s central region, such as Tel HaShomer near Tel Aviv or Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Karem. In some cases this meant an hour-long flight from Gaza or the border area by helicopter.
Despite the travel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been able to cut down the death rate among wounded soldiers in Gaza to 6.3 percent, well below the current average, as revealed last week by the IDF;s chief medical officer. Having a nearby hospital in the event of a future war in Gaza could result in saving more lives.
“The new hospital will strengthen medicine in the south of the country … and reduce disparities in access to health services,” Israel’s Health Ministry said in a separate statement.
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