Over 1,400 Healthcare Workers Killed in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israeli Attacks

At least 1,400 healthcare workers have lost their lives in Gaza during Israel’s 19-month military offensive. These attacks, which target medical professionals and facilities, are part of a broader effort to dismantle Gaza’s healthcare system. According to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), these actions represent a war on healthcare that must be stopped. The ongoing destruction of medical facilities and the systematic killing of healthcare workers have drawn international condemnation.

Healthcare Workers Under Threat in Gaza

The toll on healthcare workers in Gaza has been staggering. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical professionals have been killed in bombings, trapped under rubble, or targeted while traveling in ambulances. The United Nations Commission of Inquiry has labeled these attacks as war crimes, including the crime against humanity of extermination. Gaza’s medical teams are under constant threat, and their ability to provide care is being severely undermined.

Dr. Khaled Al-Shawa, a surgeon in Gaza, expressed his feelings of helplessness in the face of these continued attacks. He shared that, despite their best efforts, medical teams have been unable to save many lives due to the constant danger. The situation has worsened with the loss of healthcare workers, some of whom have tragically lost family members, including Dr. Al-Shawa, who lost his mother and many other relatives.

The Systematic Attack on Gaza’s Health System

Rohan Talbot, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at MAP, pointed out the extent of the attack on Gaza’s healthcare system. He stated that the evidence is clear: Gaza’s health system is being systematically dismantled, making it impossible to sustain Palestinian life. Despite healthcare workers being protected under international law, they continue to be targeted in attacks that leave the health system struggling to survive.

This destruction has had a catastrophic effect on Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. According to MAP, a third of hospitals in Gaza have been forced to shut down entirely, and more than half of the remaining operational health facilities are in areas that have been declared zones of forced displacement. Entire departments in hospitals have been reduced to rubble, leaving patients, including critically ill children, stranded without care.

Healthcare Workers and Their Growing Danger

The dangers faced by healthcare workers extend beyond bombings. Many of these workers have been abducted, detained, or killed. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in March when Israeli forces killed Osama Al-Bali, a paramedic at MAP’s Solidarity Polyclinic in Gaza, along with his wife and 13-year-old son. The family was sheltering in their tent at the time.

These targeted attacks have left Gaza’s health system struggling to function, with many hospitals unable to provide even the most basic care. Healthcare workers who remain are often working in dangerous conditions, with the threat of violence looming over them daily.

Blockade Intensifies Humanitarian Crisis

The destruction of healthcare facilities is exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza, now in its 68th consecutive day. This blockade has severely restricted the flow of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine. Hospitals, which were already facing shortages, are now struggling with extreme scarcity. Basic hygiene items, including soap, have become incredibly rare, putting more lives at risk.

MAP has reported that the situation is becoming increasingly dire, with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepening every day. The healthcare system, once one of the few remaining lifelines for the population, is now on the brink of collapse.

International Call for Immediate Action

In light of these horrific conditions, MAP is urging the international community to take immediate action to protect Gaza’s healthcare workers. The organization calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to all arms sales to Israel, and full accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.

Talbot emphasized that world leaders must act now, or they will be complicit in the atrocities being committed. He stressed that the international community must draw the line here and demand that the attacks on healthcare workers cease.

The Role of the UK and Other Global Powers

MAP also calls on the UK and other nations to reassess their role in supporting Israel’s actions. The UK, in particular, has been criticized for its continued arms sales to Israel. MAP argues that the targeting of healthcare workers must not be allowed to continue with impunity.

As the situation in Gaza continues to worsen, the international community faces a critical moment. The safety of healthcare workers and the survival of Gaza’s health system depend on urgent global action.