Shocking Incident: Two-Week-Old Baby Abducted from Israeli Hospital Found Abandoned in Jericho
A two-week-old Israeli infant was abducted by his mother from Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital’s NICU and abandoned in a Jericho hotel, prompting a rapid rescue operation by Israeli and Palestinian security forces. The baby was safely returned to Israel by 2:00 a.m., and the mother is under police investigation.
In a dramatic incident that unfolded overnight between Monday and Tuesday last week, a two-week-old Israeli infant was abducted from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Jerusalem by his Jewish-Israeli mother. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, fled with her newborn to the Palestinian city of Jericho, where she abandoned the baby in a local hotel room. The incident triggered a swift response from Israeli and Palestinian security forces, culminating in the infant’s safe rescue and the mother’s arrest.
Israeli security authorities were alerted to the abduction shortly after it occurred and promptly coordinated with Palestinian security forces to locate the infant in Jericho, a city in the Palestinian Authority’s territory. Within an hour, Palestinian security personnel identified the baby’s exact location in the hotel and safely transferred him to Israel’s Civil Administration and the IDF’s Coordination and Liaison Office in Jericho. By 2:00 a.m., the infant was safely returned to Israel, unharmed, and reunited with medical care. The mother was detained by Israeli police and is under investigation, though her motives remain unclear. Authorities are exploring possible mental health or personal distress factors, as such actions are rare and often linked to complex circumstances.
Hadassah Mount Scopus, a renowned hospital serving both Jewish and Arab patients, has faced security challenges in the past, including the 1948 Hadassah convoy massacre, where 78 medical staff and patients were killed. The hospital’s NICU, equipped to handle premature and vulnerable infants, is a critical facility, making the breach particularly alarming. Social media posts on X expressed relief at the baby’s safe return, with one user stating, “Thank G-d for the quick action, Palestinian and Israeli forces saved a life together.” The incident underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in emergencies, despite ongoing tensions in the region, where violence has surged since October 7, 2023. The investigation continues, with authorities ensuring the infant’s well-being remains the priority.