Israeli Forces Kill Over 1,700 Palestinian Health Workers in Gaza, Detain Hundreds

In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Israeli government has been accused of targeting healthcare providers and their infrastructure, significantly disrupting medical care for the population. According to reports from the Palestine Media Agency, over 1,700 Gazan caregivers have been killed by Israel, with many others detained without charge. This has led to a severe strain on the already fragile healthcare system in the region.

Yasmin Al-Bursh, a Palestinian activist, spoke out during a speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on 30 September. She called for the international community to demand the return of her husband, Adnan Al-Bursh, who died under torture in Israeli prisons. His body was not returned to his family, a situation that has left many Palestinians in a state of prolonged grief and mourning.

Adnan Al-Bursh was a prominent orthopaedic surgeon at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. During the conflict, he refused to evacuate and continued to serve his patients, commuting between hospitals in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip. On 19 December 2023, he was arrested by the Israeli army at Al-Awda Hospital while on duty. He was subjected to severe and continuous torture during his months of detention, and his death was announced on 19 April 2024 while in custody at Ofer Prison.

Tlaleng Mofokeng, the United Nations Special Rapporteur, described Adnan Al-Bursh’s death as a result of his commitment to protecting his patients’ rights to life and health. “He died for trying to protect his patients’ rights to life and health,” Mofokeng stated when announcing his death in custody. This highlights the broader pattern of targeting medical professionals by the Israeli military.

The NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) issued a press release on 6 October condemning the killing, imprisonment, and disappearance of medical personnel. They emphasized that the loss of healthcare workers not only impacts the professionals but also leaves patients without the care they depend on. MSF denounced Israel’s actions as a deliberate and systematic effort to dismantle the capacity of Palestinians to provide medical care.

EuroMed, the Euro-Mediterranean Observatory for Human Rights, has also raised concerns about the continuation of these crimes despite the official ceasefire. The organization warns of a potential escalation of attacks targeting healthcare infrastructure and personnel. These reports underscore the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the severe consequences faced by those in the medical field.

The international community is urged to address these issues and hold accountable those responsible for the violence and suffering in Gaza. As the conflict continues, the plight of healthcare workers and the impact on the civilian population remain critical concerns. The call for justice and accountability echoes the biblical principle found in Romans 12:18, which encourages seeking peace and doing good to all.

Source: Read the original report (translated from French)