GENEVA: United Nations officials have called on the Israeli occupation to address what they describe as a blatant neglect of the safety of medical personnel in the Gaza Strip, which has been severely affected by ongoing conflict.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, issued a statement urging an end to the disregard for health rights in Gaza. This follows an incident at Kamal Adwan Hospital, which included the arrest and detention of its director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, after a raid last week.
The UN rapporteurs expressed grave concern over reports indicating alleged extrajudicial actions by Israeli forces, including the execution of individuals near the hospital, such as a Palestinian man reportedly holding a white flag. They highlighted the deaths of over 1,057 Palestinian health and medical professionals and noted numerous arbitrary arrests.
The UN experts emphasized that Israeli occupation forces have consistently undermined the right to health in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories. They condemned the attack on healthcare workers and the destruction of hospitals, including the Kamal Adwan Hospital, which they noted as the last of 22 hospitals now destroyed.
The rapporteurs expressed particular alarm over the kidnapping and detention of Dr. Abu Safiya, who was reportedly targeted for resisting evacuation orders to leave his patients and colleagues. The statement noted that Dr. Abu Safiya had previously lost his son and was injured while on duty due to what the experts termed "genocidal acts" by Israel. Despite these personal tragedies, he continued to provide care amid ongoing bombardment.
The UN officials underscored the importance of safeguarding medical personnel, who serve a vital role during crises and are entitled to protection under international humanitarian law. They stressed that such personnel should not be targeted or detained for fulfilling their professional duties.
They called upon the Israeli occupation authorities to uphold the right to life and health in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, urging the facilitation of necessary healthcare and the immediate restoration of essential health services in Gaza, pending the end of their occupation.