The Humanitarian Crisis in Palestine: A Medical Concern
The Caucus of Family Doctors for Global Justice is deeply concerned by the severe and ongoing humanitarian crisis impacting the people of Palestine, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. The scale of destruction and the loss of life and liberty for innocent civilians are matters of grave medical and ethical concern.
Key aspects of the current crisis include:
- Devastating Impact on Civilians: Tens of thousands of women and children have been killed, injured, or orphaned. The impact on families has been devastating.
- Siege and Blockade: Gaza has been under a near total siege since October 7th, cutting off essential supplies like food, water, electricity, medicine, and humanitarian aid, leading to widespread famine and disease. Gaza has been described by human rights organisations as the world’s “largest open-air prison” due to the ongoing 15-year siege and blockade. This has severely restricted access to basic human needs and crippled the economy.
- Attacks on Healthcare: The deliberate targeting of health services, healthcare workers, and facilities in Gaza has been highlighted as a grave issue. The period of 2022-2024 saw the highest number of attacks against health personnel globally, making their protection critically urgent in conflict zones. Confirmed data includes attacks on schools and hospitals, denial of humanitarian access, and documented cases of children being maimed and killed. Thousands of applications for Palestinian children to access life-saving medical treatment have been denied or ignored.
- Legal Context: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in January 2024 that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza. The ICJ also ruled in July 2024 that Israel has imposed a regime of apartheid in the occupied territories as part of an institutionalised system of systematic oppression and domination of Palestinians. Actions in Gaza and the West Bank are described as illegal under international law and Israeli actions are outlined as potential crimes against humanity.
- Dehumanisation and Suffering: Palestinians have endured decades of dehumanisation and annexation. The immediate international uproar when Israel faces an attack is contrasted with perceived silence in the face of brutality toward Palestinians for over 75 years. The death toll is disproportionately borne by Palestinians, with significantly more Palestinians killed than Israelis between 2008 and 2021.
As family doctors, we witness the profound health consequences of injustice and conflict. The situation in Palestine demands urgent attention and a response grounded in medical ethics and human rights.
