Reports of Fatalities and Torture of Medical Staff and Patients
By Edward Makuzva
Dr. Tamer Almassri, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, has strongly denounced the Israeli occupation’s relentless and brutal attacks on Gaza’s health infrastructure.
The recent targeting of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza is a stark example of this aggression, resulting in the arrest, humiliation, and torture of the hospital’s director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiyya, along with 350 staff members and patients.
Dr. Almassri’s condemnation comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence and humanitarian crises in Gaza. The Israeli blockade has exacerbated the situation, leaving the region on the brink of collapse.
The Ambassador’s plea for international intervention is urgent, as the systematic destruction of Gaza’s health infrastructure and the targeting of medical personnel and facilities constitute grave violations of international law.
Speaking to this publication, Ambassador Almassri added that the brutal attacks killed at least five healthcare workers at the facility and destruction of ambulances.
“The State of Palestine urgently calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained medical professionals and healthcare workers currently held in Israeli prisons.
Furthermore, “This egregious act flagrantly breaches the fundamental tenets of international humanitarian law, constituting a reprehensible assault on human rights and an unjustified attack on medical facilities providing vital humanitarian services to civilians.
Moreover, “The deliberate targeting of hospitals and other protected locations under International Humanitarian law constitutes a grave war crime, as stipulated by the Geneva Conventions. The State of Palestine demands that the international community takes immediate action to hold Israel accountable for these blatant violations of international law”, Ambassador Almassri explained.
Dr Almassri highlighted that over the past year, Israeli forces have detained more than 600 health workers from various specialties, and approximately 1,060 health workers have been killed, some while being tortured in custody.
He reaveled that hundreds more have been injured, representing a significant loss of skilled personnel and expertise, and a blow to the health system as a whole.
Meanwhile, the state of Palestine calls on the international community and the UN Security Council to take decisive steps to end these violations, which not only constitutes serious and blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law, but also poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.