The Healthcare Should Not Be Targeted
Mwatana for Human Rights stated that the Israeli occupying army's brutal attacks targeted healthcare amount to the level of war crimes and require immediate action by the International Criminal Court. These attacks, which have been ongoing since Saturday, October 7, 2023, on facilities and medical workers, have led to the undermining of healthcare services. This has significantly exacerbated the suffering of civilian populations, reducing the capacity and treatment capabilities of healthcare facilities that should have provided medical services to those affected by the conflict in the Gaza Strip and other Palestinian territories.
Radhya Al-Mutawakel, Chairperson of Mwatana for Human Rights, said, "The horrifying Israeli attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel require the international community to put an end to war crimes and crimes against humanity and to stop the bloodshed in Palestine." She added, "The loss of lives and the inability to evacuate the injured in need of urgent medical care underscore the urgent need to end the culture of impunity and to hold Israeli occupying army leaders accountable. If the international community and the International Criminal Court do not act now, when will they?"
The World Health Organization has documented more than 111 attacks on healthcare facilities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including 48 attacks in the Gaza Strip that resulted in the deaths of at least 12 healthcare workers. The WHO statement also indicated that 24 healthcare facilities in Gaza have been damaged since the escalation of violence. Other organizations have documented 90 incidents, including at least 15 severe damage cases to healthcare facilities.
On October 13, 2023, Israeli forces attacked Al-Durrah Children's Hospital with white phosphorus. Doctors evacuated the hospital's wounded and patients. On October 14, 2023, the Jordanian Field Hospital was damaged by Israeli airstrikes, disrupting healthcare services for the affected. In Rafah city, the Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital was damaged due to Israeli airstrikes, taking it out of service. Additionally, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Al-Quds Hospital, where hundreds of displaced families sought refuge.
On October 17, 2023, the World Health Organization strongly condemned the brutal attack on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, known as "Al-Muamadani," in northern Gaza. At least 500 Palestinians were killed in this attack, including the wounded, patients, healthcare workers, healthcare providers, and displaced individuals who sought refuge at the hospital. Al-Muamadani Hospital is one of the 20 hospitals that refused Israeli military evacuation orders in northern Gaza, rendering evacuation impossible.
The continuation of military operations and threats of further attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip pose a significant risk to public health. Hospitals and healthcare facilities have turned into shelters for the displaced due to the lack of safe civilian facilities for refuge during Israeli indiscriminate shelling.
The Israeli occupying army deliberately targeted ambulances and medical personnel, killing 28 healthcare workers and injuring 23 others due to the explosive weapons used by Israeli forces in Gaza. Moreover, at least 24 healthcare workers were detained in the West Bank while responding to health emergencies.
In addition to the immense pressure on the healthcare system due to the increasing number of casualties from Israeli attacks, and suffering from a severe shortage of necessary medical resources and supplies due to the Israeli blockade on Gaza for years, Israel continues to restrict the entry of medical supplies and humanitarian aid through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Mwatana for Human Rights calls on the international community to take immediate action to protect healthcare facilities, medical personnel, the wounded, and patients in accordance with international humanitarian law. This includes ending the targeting of hospitals and healthcare facilities, ensuring the basic right of Palestinians to safe access to healthcare services, and lifting all Israeli restrictions on the entry of medical supplies and humanitarian aid.
