Statement: the threat to life and right to health in Palestine

We have all watched in horror as events have unfolded over the past few weeks across Gaza and Israel, from the abhorrent murder and abduction of civilians by Hamas, to the devastating bombing campaign by Israel which has so far caused the deaths of over 6546 people - including 2704 children.

The loss of hundreds of lives in the Al-Ahli Arab hospital is unconscionable. Reports that Israel has ordered the evacuation of Al-Quds hospital gives further evidence that the most vulnerable - patients, children, their families - will suffer the most in this war. The Red Cross has described hospitals in Gaza as “the most unimaginable of conditions in scenes of utter chaos”, as supplies and fuel run out and thousands of civilians crowd next to patients to seek shelter.

With the UN warning of the potential for ‘genocide’ in Palestine, it is urgent all is done to secure the safe release of the hostages and an end to the bombardment which is taking so many innocent lives.

As a health-focused campaign group we are outraged and deeply saddened by the loss of life. We believe that the universal right to health can only be attained through the solidarity of patients, standing together to demand it in the face of powerful forces. So this week we wrote with allied health organisations to call on the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, to protect the health rights of Palestinians by demanding an immediate ceasefire, safe routes for humanitarian aid, an end to the collective punishment of Palestinians, and efforts to address the wider causes of the conflict to avoid further catastrophe.

We have also signed onto this letter, along with hundreds of human rights and humanitarian organisations from around the world, calling for an immediate ceasefire. We encourage individuals to sign their name to this public version, and to contact their MPs to demand the UK act to save lives in the region by pressing for a ceasefire.

Whilst the current conflict has caused a huge increase in death and suffering, it has been long documented, by the UN and others, that Palestinians face significant barriers to realising their right to health under Israeli occupation. According to Medical Aid for Palestinians, Israeli authorities approved only 54% of exit permits for patients seeking treatment outside Gaza in 2017 - the lowest rate since recording began in 2008. Dozens of people die every year in Gaza after delay or denial of such permits. From 2019-2022, 750 attacks in occupied Palestinian territory affected 160 health facilities and 315 ambulances. Five hundred and sixty eight health workers were injured and one lost their life.  

This systematic denial of human rights cannot continue.

We do not believe that any act - however barbaric - can justify the collective punishment of civilians through the cutting off of water, food, fuel, and electricity supplies, or a bombing campaign described by Israel as focused on “damage, not accuracy” that hits schools, hospitals, places of worship, and areas deemed “safe” the Israeli government. International law on this is clear. Furthermore, these acts decrease the chances of saving the lives of the hostages and increase the chances of an escalating conflict that draws in more countries in the region and takes even more innocent lives.

We strongly echo the WHO’s call for the immediate release of hostages on humanitarian and health grounds. 

We reiterate our demand that the UK government do not ignore or give implied consent to the likely war crimes being committed, and must hold the Israeli government to account, press for a ceasefire that can save the lives, and safeguard the right to health of as many civilians in Palestine and Israel as possible. It must also press for peace in the region that recognises the historical root causes of the conflict and the ongoing denial of human rights in Palestine.