TPAN

Healthcare workers in Gaza have been targeted by israel, despite being protected under international humanitarian law.

So far, 1055 healthcare workers have been killed.

Nurses, doctors, paramedics, administrative staff, technicians, students, pharmacists, dentists and volunteers are among those killed.

The impact of these atrocities will have far reaching consequences.

For example, three senior plastic surgeons have been killed, leaving a big gap in acutely necessary skills during a bombing campaign. These specialists are critical to manage burns, blast injuries and reconstructive surgeries.

Another less obvious impact is Pathologists. They help the treating doctor diagnose by analysing tests and identifying the cause of disease.

Two of the three Palestinian Pathologists working in Gaza prior to October 2023 have been killed.

Now, only one is left who is single-handedly responsible for analysing test results for the 2.3 million Gazans.

Unlawful detention

Additionally, the Palestinian Health Ministry has reported the unlawful detention of 310 healthcare workers.

One of them was Dr Adnan Al Bursh. He was a well respected and renowned orthopaedic surgeon, trained in London, head of orthopaedics at Al Shifa, a charismatic man described as the 'embodiment of Palestinian ethics.' He stayed in the hospital 24 hours a day providing care to his people. He was taken captive by the OF for ‘national security reasons’.

4 months later, Ofer prison guards dumped him in the prison yard naked from the waist down and unable to stand. He died moments later.

This story has barely been covered in western media.

All of this makes it clear that there has been deliberate targeting, undermining and destruction of healthcare in Gaza.

This has to stop.

israel has to stop.

Support for this rogue state has to stop.

Healthcare workers from across the world have used their experience and platforms to speak up for Palestinians.

If you know a healthcare worker who hasn’t been showing up, talk to them about what’s happening to their colleagues in Palestine. Ask them to put the care and compassion that led them to their profession into motion and show up in whatever way they can.

And tell your MPs to do more to protect civilians, including healthcare workers, in Gaza.

You can also find out more about Amnesty International's recent nationwide event we took part in.