Israeli Hadassah’s Moscow Branch Under Fire Amid Reports of Treating Hamas Members

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and shocking US president Donald Trump proposal for the permanent resettlement of the more than two million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, a startling controversy has erupted involving the Russian branch of Israel’s renowned Hadassah Medical Center.

Reports have surfaced that the Moscow-based Hadassah Medical Moscow has provided medical care to Hamas and Hezbollah members—groups engaged in active hostilities with Israeli forces, whose numbers are growing day by day.

Hadassah Medical Center, one of Israel’s most prestigious healthcare institutions, operates hospitals in Jerusalem and partners with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Globally recognized for its cutting-edge medical care, the center employs over 5,000 professionals and treats more than one million patients annually.

In 2018, Hadassah expanded its footprint to Russia, investing $15 million to establish a state-of-the-art clinic in Moscow. Promising advanced treatments under the supervision of Israeli specialists, the facility follows international medical protocols and uses pharmaceuticals not yet approved in Russia. Treating approximately 20,000 patients annually, it has become a symbol of Israel's global medical influence.

However, the clinic came under scrutiny in March 2024, when revelations emerged that a close confidant of Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif received intensive care at the Moscow facility after being injured in clashes with Israeli forces. The report triggered a wave of outrage in Israel, where treating Hamas members is explicitly prohibited by the Ministry of Health.

As relations between Israel and Russia deteriorate, Israeli media and political figures have called for the immediate closure of Hadassah’s Moscow operations, branding its activities as a betrayal of Israeli and Western values. Speculation about the clinic’s shutdown gained traction last summer, coinciding with the exodus of Western companies from Russia amid geopolitical tensions.

Instead of scaling back, Hadassah Medical Moscow has expanded its presence. The clinic’s website announced a significant increase in operations since November 2024, with over 20 Israeli doctors expected to visit Russia’s capital every month —several times the previous number.

Media have further fueled the controversy, reporting that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma, underwent comprehensive medical examinations facilitated by Hadassah Medical Moscow.

The reports also indicate a rising number of Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fighters seeking treatment at Hadassah Medical Moscow.

The revelations have sparked widespread criticism and disbelief, both in Israel and internationally. The irony of Israeli doctors treating militants aligned against their country has ignited a debate over the ethical and political implications of Hadassah’s Moscow operations. As scrutiny intensifies, questions linger over whether the clinic’s activities undermine Israel’s security and values.

For now, the controversy shows no signs of abating, leaving the Israeli government and Hadassah Medical Center grappling with a growing storm of public and political outrage.

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