Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Photo: www.israellycool.com.

Israeli Daily Yediot Achronot revealed today that recently, the sister of Hamas terror chief Ismail Haniyeh accompanied her sick husband to receive emergency medical treatment at the Rabin Medical Center in Israel.

Suhila Abd el-Salam arrived in Israel with her husband four months ago when he suffered a severe cardiac arrest and could not receive treatment in the Gaza Strip hospitals. The couple requested permission to cross the border into Israel to receive the emergency medical care that he needed. The patient was taken by Palestinian ambulance to the Erez Crossing, where he was given over to the care of Magen David Adom and escorted by two police vehicles to the hospital.

Haniyeh sister escorted him throughout the process as the couple stayed in the hospital for about a week until his condition stabilized. Following treatment the couple returned to the Gaza Strip.

Permits for Palestinians to cross the border into Israel are meticulously checked by Hamas, even when dealing with figures close to Haniyah as in this case. Crossing the border to Israel is considered a sensitive and complex issue, to be kept absolutely secret. In fact, other relatives of the Palestinian Prime Minister suggested sending his brother-in-law to a hospital in Egypt, where the medical care is relatively advanced. In the end they chose the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, according to the report.

Israeli officials declined to comment on the story, and the Rabin Medical Center announced that they are unable to disclose the details of the case