Three Detained in Investigation of Unconsented Blood Tests at Rehovot Hospital
Police have detained three suspects over allegations that blood samples were taken from cardiology patients at Kaplan Medical Center for research without consent.
By Isabella Kaur ·
Three individuals were detained for questioning on the morning of Thursday, November 5, 2026, amid allegations that blood samples were collected from patients at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot for research purposes without their permission. The suspects were taken into custody by investigators from the Israel Police's Central District Fraud and Cybercrime Unit. This action marks a significant development in a probe that began roughly two weeks ago after initial suspicions emerged within the hospital.
The investigation was triggered after hospital officials started examining reports that a senior staff member and two other employees had gathered blood specimens from patients in the cardiology department. The core of the allegation is that these samples were intended for research projects rather than being part of the patients' standard medical treatment or diagnostic procedures.
Following the internal review, the hospital contacted the police and formally reported the allegations to the Health Ministry. Preliminary findings indicate that the affected patients underwent blood tests that were not medically necessary for their immediate care. The samples were allegedly procured specifically for research use, and the process did not involve obtaining the informed consent of the patients.
Prof. Kobi George, who serves as the head of the hospital's cardiology department, was suspended from his duties shortly after the internal investigation was launched about two weeks prior. His suspension was part of the hospital's initial response to the growing concerns regarding the conduct of staff within the department.
The police inquiry is ongoing, focusing on the methods used to collect the samples and verifying whether they were indeed utilized for research without the patients' knowledge or agreement. Investigators are working to determine the full scope of the incident and the specific roles of the individuals involved.
As of the latest reports, the patients whose blood samples were allegedly taken under these circumstances have not yet been notified of their involvement in the case. The hospital and investigators are proceeding with caution to manage the communication process with those affected.
Kaplan Medical Center has stated that it is working closely with the authorities to resolve the matter. In a statement regarding the ongoing process, the hospital confirmed that it is cooperating with law enforcement agencies as required to support the investigation.
The incident has raised questions about internal oversight and consent protocols within the cardiology department. The detention of the three suspects signals that the case has moved from an internal administrative review to a formal criminal inquiry.
The Central District Fraud and Cybercrime Unit is leading the police response, a designation that may reflect the complexity of the case or the specific nature of the allegations being examined. The unit is responsible for gathering evidence and interviewing the detained individuals.
The hospital's decision to report the matter to the Health Ministry adds a regulatory dimension to the case, potentially involving broader reviews of how research and clinical care are separated in such departments. The suspension of the department head underscores the seriousness with which the institution is treating the allegations.
The case highlights the delicate balance between advancing medical research and respecting patient autonomy. The investigation will likely scrutinize the documentation and approval processes that should have been in place before any samples were collected for non-clinical use.
With the suspects now in custody, the next steps in the legal process will depend on the evidence gathered during their questioning. The hospital continues to treat patients while the specific units involved in the alleged incidents are under close scrutiny.
This development follows a period of internal uncertainty as the hospital worked to verify the initial suspicions. The formal police involvement now provides a clearer framework for determining the facts of the case.
The detention on Thursday morning marks a pivotal moment in the timeline of the investigation, which has been active for approximately two weeks. All parties involved are focused on establishing the sequence of events and the motivations behind the collection of the blood samples.
