In a stark denunciation of ongoing hostilities affecting healthcare in Gaza, UN Special Rapporteurs Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng and Francesca Albanese have labeled recent assaults on hospitals as a “blatant disregard” for the right to health. The rapporteurs’ statement came in response to the raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, which culminated in the arrest of its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, for allegedly defying evacuation orders and continuing his medical duties during a period of intensified Israeli military action.
The denunciation from UN experts emphasizes a troubling pattern of hostility against healthcare institutions in Gaza, a region under significant strain from prolonged conflict. The rapporteurs underscored the fundamental rights enshrined in international law, alluding to the Fourth Geneva Convention which mandates particular care and protection for the wounded and sick. Article 19 of this convention explicitly outlines that civilian hospitals maintain protection unless they are used for activities detrimental to an opposing force. Additionally, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court affirms that targeting hospitals not used for military purposes constitutes a war crime.
The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has also released a report evaluating claims by Israel that Gaza hospitals have been used as fronts for military operations, describing such claims as often vague. The report, which spans events occurring between October 2023 and June 2024, further critiques attacks such as those on the Indonesian Hospital, which faced destruction of vital resources following the assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital.
This discourse draws attention to the broader ethical and legal implications of military actions affecting healthcare facilities. The rapporteurs have asserted the necessity for Israel, as the occupying power, to uphold and protect the right to life and health, ensuring unhindered access to essential healthcare services in Gaza. Alongside calls for the immediate release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, they urge a cessation of hostilities against healthcare facilities throughout the occupied Palestinian territories. For a detailed examination of these events, you can access the full article on JURIST.