The High Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday afternoon that it would neither throw out nor get behind the petition filed by the "Physicians for Human Rights" organization on Tuesday night.
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The organization demanded that wounded Palestinians in the Gaza Strip be allowed to travel to the West Bank, in accordance with the current limitations.
Justice Elyakim Rubinstein accepted the State's current position on how best to handle the situation but said the State would have to update its position on Sunday – after which the court would decide what to do with the petition.
The State prosecution said that the welfare of Gaza's residents was the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority and not the State of Israel. The State also said that without proper authorities on the other side to coordinate the passage of Palestinian residents, it would be extremely difficult to determine who could enter and who had to stay in Gaza.
Justice Rubinstein wrote in his ruling: "We believe that considering the difficult situation in Gaza, which has worsened considerably, the State has made efforts to help in finding solutions for the humanitarian problems of sick and wounded Palestinians whose lives must be saved.
Rubinstein also said the court sees "great importance in the existing humanitarian policy" without addressing the larger legal issues involved at the moment.
"'He who saves one life saves the world entire,'" wrote Rubinstein, "there appears to be logic in the
practical solution offered by the State, assuming and hoping that it will prove effective."
The State's position maintains that a contact within the Palestinian Ministry of Health will cooperate with Israeli authorities to determine which Palestinian patients should be allowed entry to Israel.
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