Responses to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel

In the wake of the current crisis unfolding in Gaza and Israel, we invited humanitarian practitioners to share their insights on the situation – below are some of the submissions we received.

We must strive for a two-state solution (Alsadiq Ali)

The peace process in Gaza, Israel and beyond (Jess Templeman)

Gaza and Israel: a cry for humanity amidst endless conflict (Sneha Bose)

Sphere statement on Gaza and Israel (Sphere)

Humanitarian access is essential and called for under International Humanitarian Law (Shameet Thakkar)

Restraint is needed and a peaceful resolution must be reached (Alexander W. Wesley)

Saints pay for sinners (Claudia Milena Adler and Jo Rose)

The hills of Palestine are lined with olive trees (Betsie Lewis)

Words under siege (Fiona Kelling)

Challenges to neutrality and impartiality, and their value (Jérôme Grimaud)

The gendered impact of displacement and conflict (Riham Jafari)

Humanitarians and the war between Hamas and Israel (Hugo Slim)

Standing in solidarity: the last act of humanity (Rayyan Haries)

Gaza is facing a catastrophic public health crisis – how can we help? (Devina Buckshee)

Why a ‘humanitarian pause’ or ‘humanitarian corridors’ are simply not the answer in Gaza (Richard Stanforth and Magnus Corfixen)

Humanitarian crisis: the ongoing 56-year-old case of Gaza (Nour Al Zouabi)

Redefining reconstruction: a new path for Gaza post-2023 (Sansom Milton)

Israel’s weaponisation of medical and humanitarian aid (Zeina Jamal)

The UN’s weak response to Gaza: a disheartening let-down (Ghassan ElKahlout)

Between indifference and action: revisiting the extremism paradigm (Sara Arafa)

Pregnant women are the ‘forgotten victims’ of war (Asma Fazal)

We must strive for a two-state solution

Alsadiq Ali (Save Darfur Organization and Peace Advocates Organisation – Sudan), submitted 17 October 2023

I am deeply saddened by the situation in Palestine, in Israel and Gaza, on both sides. But war is not the solution – it has claimed many civilian victims. No one accepts occupation. Therefore, I believe that it is time for the two-state solution to be achieved, so that Palestine, Israel and the entire region can enjoy security and stability. People must be able to live in peace.

The peace process in Gaza, Israel and beyond

Jess Templeman (independent consultant), submitted 17 October 2023

Peace is too often conceived of as a static entity, achieved by a metaphorical handshake. No one can deny peace deals are important and often incredibly delicate. But they are only the beginning of a process, one stop along the movement from negative peace – the cessation of conflict – to positive peace – where society begins to recover, reconcile and regrow.

Viewing peace as static belies its true nature: it is fluid, hard won and often easily lost. Peace relies on people humanising the other side, seeing the larger benefits of working together and resisting demonisation. Too often, we assume that when the tanks roll back – or more often just stop firing shells – peace is ‘won’. We forget, or choose to ignore, the fact that a frozen conflict is not finished and that a peace accord does not always relieve a community’s tension. Our naivety, and lack of long-term commitment, is showing across the globe in horrific ways.

The situation in Gaza and Israel is rightly dominating the news, but it is not the only place where a static peace has rapidly become unstuck. A recent siege by a group of Serbs in Northern Kosovo resulted in a stand-off that killed four people. In Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijani military’s lightning strike in September led more than 68,000 people to flee their homes for Armenia.

All three places, until recently, were supported on the journey of peace through the promises and backing of the international community. This back-up empowered brave local leaders to put aside their differences and come together to focus on building a future. In Kosovo–Serbia, the focus was on European Union (EU) accession; in Nagorno-Karabakh, it involved (somewhat ironically) Russia’s influence on the region; while in the case of Israel–Palestine, the goal was a two-state solution. Each of these, no matter what different sections of the international community thought of them, allowed politicians to move forward. On top of that, they allowed citizens an anchor point to understand why they needed to heal and move beyond their conflict memories.

However, in the last 10 years, the international community has grown increasingly inward-looking; impunity rages and red lines are repeatedly crossed. With this, the desire to confront the difficult, long-run problems has waned. Local leaders start to see easy gains, focusing not on building peace but on land grabs, inflaming tensions and populist politics.

Obviously, the international arena is not the sole answer; the era of unquestioned Responsibility to Protect has gone, often leaving more questions than it answered. But we would be failing ourselves and those less fortunate if we continue to turn in on ourselves and ignore the hard problems. Peace requires continual, often thankless, work that does not give up in the face of adversity. Recognising the importance of the international community living up to its promises and committing for the long haul is crucial if we are to find sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most intractable issues. Without this, we might be facing more Kosovos, Israels and Nagorno-Karabakhs in the near future.

Gaza and Israel: a cry for humanity amidst endless conflict

Sneha Bose (humanitarian aid worker), submitted 18 October 2023

In the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Gaza has become a poignant symbol of humanity’s resilience and suffering. For years, the region has been marred by political strife, resulting in a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions. It’s essential to shed light on this ongoing tragedy and understand the collective responsibility we share in addressing it.

Gaza, a narrow strip of land home to over two million people, is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. It has endured decades of political instability, military conflict and economic isolation, leaving its residents trapped in a never-ending cycle of despair. With limited access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities, Gazans face daunting challenges daily.

Israel’s security concerns have led to a 16-year blockade that restricts the flow of goods and services into Gaza, exacerbating the hardships of the population. The people of Gaza deserve to live in peace, with access to basic necessities and opportunities for a better future.

This humanitarian crisis has been further intensified by periodic outbreaks of violence. The world watched in shock earlier this month as Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rocket attacks resulted in the loss of innocent lives, leaving homes and infrastructure in ruins. While both sides claim self-defence, the true victims are the civilians caught in the crossfire. It is crucial to recognise that peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians are not mutually exclusive – they are interconnected goals that require a negotiated solution.

The international community has a moral obligation to address this humanitarian crisis and promote a peaceful resolution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. This obligation extends beyond geopolitical interests; it is rooted in our shared humanity. By amplifying the voices of those affected and urging political leaders to prioritise diplomacy, we can work towards a more stable and equitable future for the region.

Humanitarian organisations play a vital role in providing aid and assistance to those affected by the conflict. They face immense challenges in delivering aid due to restrictions. Supporting these organisations is a practical way for individuals and nations to make a difference.

Education is another powerful tool for change. Teaching future generations about the importance of empathy, tolerance and peace can help break the cycle of violence and prejudice. By nurturing a generation that values human life and respects diversity, we can pave the way for a more harmonious future in the region.

The Gaza–Israel conflict reflects the broader struggle for peace and human rights that affects us all. We must keep the spotlight on this humanitarian situation and hold our leaders accountable for working towards a just and lasting resolution. Our actions, whether through supporting humanitarian efforts, advocating for peaceful dialogue or educating the next generation, can have a profound impact on the lives of those trapped in this enduring conflict.

In a world where divisive narratives often dominate headlines, let us remember that our shared humanity is a unifying force. By standing together in support of peace, we can help Gaza and Israel move closer to a future where suffering gives way to hope and prosperity.

Sphere statement on Gaza and Israel

Sphere, submitted 18 October 2023

The humanitarian imperative is unequivocal in that action should be taken to prevent or alleviate human suffering arising out of disaster or conflict. Those in power at this unprecedented time must therefore be responsible, and be held responsible, if they fail humanity.

As in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Sudan and tragically many other countries, the world is watching the crisis unfold in southern Israel and Gaza in real time. Humanity is descending again into violent conflict with allegations of war crimes committed by all parties. There is no justification for an illegal act whether it is in retaliation or unprovoked. Wilful killing, hostage-taking and torture are crimes against humanity, but do not justify a response that includes further crimes against humanity, as responsibility for justice lies with national and international courts.

Sphere condemns the mass killings, summary executions, hostage-taking and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including the wanton destruction of health and medical facilities, schools and homes. We call upon all sides for restraint, to stop the slaughter and the ongoing grave breaches of international law. To seek peaceful resolution through action that prevents or alleviates human suffering, there must be no further attacks against civilians nor people who are there to assist vulnerable people, including humanitarian workers and UN peacekeepers.

The Humanitarian Charter – which is part of the Sphere Handbook – states that ‘all people affected by disaster or conflict have a right to receive protection and assistance to ensure the basic conditions for life with dignity’. The Charter is based on international law and the fundamental moral principle of humanity, ‘that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’.

Established standards play a vital role in humanitarian response, providing a common framework for planning and implementation of coordinated and quality emergency assistance. Standards in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); food security and nutrition; shelter and health are not being met in the Palestinian territories. The more time that passes until they are met, the more suffering and death there will be. Unsafe and insufficient water; starvation; overcrowded homes and destroyed hospitals are a certain recipe for humanitarian catastrophe.

Sphere’s Minimum Standards in humanitarian response are based on human rights and describe what must be in place, as a minimum, for people to survive and recover with dignity, whomever and wherever they are. Standards are accompanied by Actions, Indicators and Guidance notes which capture decades of expertise and experience from multiple different contexts. In contexts where standards cannot be met in the short term, the requirement to minimise harm is paramount.

Humanitarian access is essential and called for under International Humanitarian Law

Shameet Thakkar (Unimed Procurement Services), submitted 18 October 2023

It’s devastating to see innocent civilians dying as a result of a political conflict. It’s essential that both sides allow passage for other countries to supply humanitarian aid to those in need, according to International Humanitarian Law.

To this point, we’re in full support of the World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson’s recent comments that the delivery of aid to Gaza ‘must happen’. As the WHO has stated, hospitals are overwhelmed, people cannot get treatment, children with burns have no pain relief – it’s absolutely critical.

This aligns with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent call to Israel and Egypt to open the Rafah border crossing to allow urgently needed humanitarian aid supplies to pass through.

The most important thing is that civilians can be evacuated to safety and get access to the vital essentials they need. We need to make sure everyone affected has appropriate access to housing, food, water, electricity and medical supplies.

The hospitals are in a mess right now and it’s important to think about the deeper consequences of not having access to vital resources, aside from the obvious issues. Lack of electricity can cause serious issues with vital medical supplies. For example, insulin must be refrigerated to be preserved, and no electricity means this is not possible, meaning those who need it to survive will not have it. This is just one example of many devastating issues caused by the lack of vital supplies that most people would not even consider.

The focus of every nation right now should be on getting vital humanitarian aid to the innocent civilians who are in desperate need.

Restraint is needed and a peaceful resolution must be reached

Alexander W. Wesley (independent), submitted 18 October 2023

It is indeed a sad event today to hear or watch images of hostilities between Israel and Palestine with Hamas on one side. I do not want to go into investigation because the majority of the victims are innocent of the happenings. I call on both parties to the conflict to exercise restraint. Protect civilians, unarmed personnel, schools, hospitals, places of worship, etc. and open an avenue for humanitarians to increase support to those vulnerable people. Finally, I appeal to the regional block and international community to see reason and resolve this issue without partiality and interest!

Saints pay for sinners

Claudia Milena Adler and Jo Rose (University of York, UK), submitted 19 October 2023

The rules of war have drastically changed since the inception of what we now refer to as mainstream humanitarianism, when Henry Dunant captured vividly the atrocities and immense suffering of the Battle of Solferino in 1859. Modern-day armed conflict has blurred the lines between soldiers and civilians. World leaders speak of ‘collateral damage’, a term that, if they’re not careful, sounds as though they are referring to debris, not lives – people with beating hearts and dreams cut short. Our sophisticated international legal frameworks have emerged from the ruins of war and are informed by the same cruelty that plagues all wars. This response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israel is for the saints that lie lifeless, the children torn from their families who play no part in the human atrocity, those targeted and injured by modernity’s finest weapons – these are the saints referred to.

The killing of any civilian population constitutes a crime against humanity, but violence has no bounds. The horrors of the past and the institutions that rose after the Second World War to ensure history would never repeat itself have done little to protect civilians from a collective punishment that is unfolding in the killing of thousands, as the skies of Gaza and Israel are lit by missiles and rockets. If we, the sinners, struggle to comprehend such atrocities of war, how can children be subjected to these same atrocities despite countless governments being party to the Geneva Convention?

The sinners are all those who, through actions and omissions, have forgotten we hold a shared humanity. Borders are closed, and hospitals are targeted. Hospitals are no longer a safe zone for civilians (including children). This is not unique to Gaza and Israel, but the situation is on global display through all social media and international news platforms – the world is watching but not acting.

The other side of armed conflict hides behind humanitarian appeals, arduous advocacy to deliver emergency relief and condemnation. The profiteering of war is less discussed, but it is nonetheless a contributing element to this complex humanitarian situation. There lies an immorality within our global structures if four of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council top global arms sales, sales that fuel wars around the world.

The innocents of Gaza and Israel need the world to respond and a ceasefire to be called. We are at an ethical tipping point. The United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) and the United States (US) rallied at speed to support Ukraine but have voiced no condemnation of the conflict in the Middle East throughout its bloody history. The hypocrisy of the UK, EU and the US has been exposed through this war. The UK, EU and the US are losing legitimacy through their reluctance to call for a ceasefire, and the US veto of a ‘humanitarian pause’ to allow humanitarian corridors of aid to enter Gaza starkly demonstrates the politicisation of international humanitarian aid. A ceasefire and humanitarian corridors are urgently needed, but above all else, we need humanity to be at the centre of international politics.

The hills of Palestine are lined with olive trees

Betsie Lewis (independent humanitarian consultant), submitted 19 October 2023

An olive branch symbolises peace and friendship. The average lifespan of an olive tree is 300–600 years, but some live as long as 3,000 years. They are a symbol of rooted steadfast resistance to all that changes around them. They are drought-resistant and can be grown in poor soil conditions, a symbol of resilience, endurance and persistence. Between 80,000 and 100,000 Palestinian families rely on the olive harvest, and in 2019, the collective power of the population of Palestine pressed 177,000 tonnes of olives.

Since 1967 more than 800,000 Palestinian olive trees have been illegally uprooted by the Israeli authorities. It can take up to 20 years for an olive tree to grow back; some farmers who lose their trees will never see another harvest in their lifetime.

When considering Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians, it’s of paramount importance that international law, human rights and the humanitarian principles are upheld, and that civilian life is always protected, on all sides. These topics undoubtedly should take precedence during discussions of the conflict on the international stage.

But as a conflict specialist, I often find myself reflecting on the less tangible consequences of war and occupation. I think of all the plastic chairs in all the small alleys with all the local coffee vendors I’ve sat with in the West Bank and wonder what happened to the picture of their daughter on the wall when they lost their shop? I think of the families in Gaza who have not only lost their future generations, but all traces of their past.

The pencil marks on walls – born of the hopes of little girls who wanted to be taller than their brother – that no longer exist. The bikes in sheds that can no longer be ridden, and the music scores of old songs that have been burnt, never to be sung again. I wonder if there was a secret recipe to the best knafeh in town that died with the store’s owner and the stories that won’t be told by grandparents informing future generations of who they could become, based on how things were. It is the destruction of memory.

As a Lebanese citizen quoted by the International Committee of the Red Cross states, ‘Desecrating a population’s past in the present undermines its collective memory and identity in the future.’

Let us not let peace die with the olive trees, nor the history and culture of Palestine die with its people. Call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Words under siege

Fiona Kelling (independent), submitted 21 October 2023

In memory of Khaled (10/7/2016–17/10/2023)

I feel like my words are under blockade, the articulation of the future I want to see unable to get in or out past the security checks of complexity and balance. Frisked down by fear of being misunderstood, scanned under the scrutiny of increasing polarisation. Too often turned back for risk of offending my friends.

And now, they are struggling under a bombardment that does not stop, near constant explosions of ‘shock’ and ‘pain’ and ‘outrage’ and ‘grief’, leaving a rubble of adjectives that no longer piece together to make a coherent structure. The power source that fuels communication and human connection has been cut off; the devices at our disposal to understand and see the Other have run down, with no way to recharge them. The water source of hope, a flow of words of compassion and condolences, is as empty and dried out as the taps, and anything I can say is salty and contaminated by possible misinterpretation or traitorous infection.

My words feel like incendiary rockets, hidden away and shockingly numerous, yet largely ineffective. Homemade and misfiring and unable to create the kind of crater that could indicate a need to End This Now. That could inflict the kind of damage that might influence those with Big Loud Words. That are not subject to claim and counterclaim in the wrangling of their own formation. But my words are struggling against years of being held back, pushed down, learning how to live with ever fewer outlets.

I wake in the early hours and compose eloquent soliloquies in my head, that never emerge from the tunnels they are buried in deep beneath the surface. These weapons of attempted resistance. And surely, they are ripe for misuse, for when employed in a Certain Direction, they can be dangerous and inflict terrible damage. Were they to break out past the barrier holding them in, they could indeed create horror beyond description.

They could incite and kill and maim, and maybe then they might get the traction I wish they could, holding your attention hostage. Yet my faltering attempts to keep using them as a legitimate expression of opposition are silenced by the thunderous voice of the Right to Self-Defence that strikes out both the good and the bad, indiscriminately destroying both those potential words of hate and those struggling calls for peace, leaving a vacuum in its wake.

The grip on my silence is tightening. Outside assistance is blocked in translation. The fight for words rages on. While all the time they are being squeezed into an ever-tighter space, jumbled together and not where they are meant to be. Stop! Help! Orphaned words calling out, whole sentences wiped off my tongue. Was that one of the good ones or the bad ones? Are there any bad ones left? Are there any good ones left?

My screams for help lie broken into letters, dismembered and crushed beneath the weight of Leading Voices.

I whisper to myself: Love is a four-letter verb.

Challenges to neutrality and impartiality, and their value

Jérôme Grimaud (Senior Protection Advisor, ProCap/NorCap), submitted 22 October 2023

The unleashing. The abyssal chasm. The dizzying plunge into dehumanisation. The unthinkable carnage. Faced with the outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine, which comes on top of those that are breaking out worldwide in the shadow of immediate media interest, the question of our neutrality and our impartiality arises. That is, our neutrality and impartiality as people, not just as humanitarian workers.

This is not only a theoretical or ethical question; it’s an almost physical challenge. The images and voices we are exposed to generate strong emotions: shock, incredulity, astonishment, despair, sadness, desolation, compassion, anger, rage, sometimes the desire to revolt. So many uncontrollable and overwhelming currents that are at war inside us. They speak to our values, sensitivity, personal and collective history. They shake us as a person, in our body and soul.

Can we, or should we, remain neutral in the face of these events? Does it still make sense in such a situation to remain ‘neutral’? Is neutrality a deliberate and assumed position, or just a screen behind which we hide our cowardice? Wouldn’t change and impactful action on the situation that people are facing, wouldn’t the idea we have of ‘justice’ require us to take part? To engage differently than through just the humanitarian lens? With more political and partisan tones and objectives? It is for every one of us to evaluate, decide and act accordingly.

And yet, there may also be a relevance, a usefulness and even a need for our neutrality and impartiality in this context.

These principles are too often presented as means to an end. We are told that neutrality and impartiality are the guarantees of acceptance and our access, so that we can deliver aid.

They actually carry much more meaning and value.

In the confrontation, parties only look at one another from the angle of dehumanisation tinged with hatred. And one may ask oneself, in this context, if Palestinians and Israelis, Ukrainians and Russians, Dogons and Peuls, Sahrawis and Moroccans really need another opinion on the situations they are facing. Whether they need our opinion on the situation. If that, indeed, will contribute to appease tension, reduce violence, create room for change.

When remaining neutral and impartial, we play an essential role as a third party between parties in conflict. We treat everyone with equal dignity. We suspend our judgement, by not discriminating. We approach everyone on a fair and equitable basis, as beings with equal human value. By creating trust with everyone, we model a behaviour that rehumanises each and every one. We embody and represent a bridge when the two banks seem to move inexorably apart. We represent a link, a connection, a channel and the possibility of a path beyond the one of confrontation. We represent a tiny, fragile, limited possibility for dialogue between human beings and communities.

In an increasingly polarised and antagonistic world, our neutral and impartial stand represents the hope that even in the darkest times, sparks of humanity may still remain.

The gendered impact of displacement and conflict

Riham Jafari (Communication and Advocacy Coordinator, ActionAid Palestine), submitted 24 October 2023

On Thursday 12 October, Israel ordered 1.1 million people to evacuate from Gaza City and the northern part of the Gaza strip to the south. It is estimated that 1 million people have been displaced.

With no ceasefire, an ongoing siege and a looming ground offensive, there is no guarantee for the safety of millions of people as Gaza is experiencing a full electricity blackout, hindering access to essential health, water and sanitation. Israeli military forces have instructed 22 hospitals in Gaza to evacuate, but for many people they remain the only safe place to shelter.

At the same time, there are severe movement restrictions in place in the West Bank, due to checkpoints and road blockages by Israel.

“Surprisingly, we are still alive. Before becoming a shelter, this was one of the most important and largest hospitals in the Gaza Strip, the conditions here are miserable. We are without water, without food, without hygiene or dignity kits. People are sleeping and lying in the streets, in the corridors and everywhere inside the hospital. – Bisan, a humanitarian youth volunteer working with ActionAid Palestine.”

Forcibly evacuating hospitals is not only a breach of international law but also a grave affront to humanity. These actions compound the already dire humanitarian situation and place the lives of patients and the medical professionals committed to treating them at severe risk.

Women and girls

Conflicts disproportionately affect the lives of women and girls, with higher risks of gender-based violence, including arbitrary killings, torture and sexual violence. According to Palestinian ministry of health, 70% of the victims are children, women and the elderly, and we received 1,550 reports of missing persons still under the rubble, including 870 children.

The calls for evacuation do not consider the additional difficulties women will face – an estimated 50,000 pregnant women live in Gaza, who face an impossible choice ahead. There are only 3 litres of water available per person in Gaza right now, yet pregnant and lactating women need 7.5 litres a day to keep themselves and their babies healthy.

Amal Abu Aisha is a woman from Gaza who fled her house. She shares her worries about displacement and her pregnant daughter Razan who is ready to give birth, but staying in her house without anyone that could look after her or help with the delivery of her baby:

“I do not know what I can do as her husband is fulfilling his medical duty in Gaza hospitals under this difficult situation. I cannot reach her, and she cannot move to hospital under this constant attack and overcrowding of hospitals. I only need to be next to her […] this is her first baby. I cannot imagine how she can bear the severe pains of labour alone.”

The significant, largely displaced population of women and girls, and new female-headed households, have unique and urgent needs and vulnerabilities that must be recognised and addressed. Women living in Gaza and the refugee camps in the West Bank will bear an additional domestic and caring burden to cope with the destruction of homes, public infrastructure, health services and access to clean water.

ActionAid’s work on the ground

ActionAid has been working in the occupied Palestinian territory for many years supporting Palestinian people living without access to basic services and the most fundamental human rights and freedoms. We are working with our local partner, Al Awda Health and Community Association, who are in Gaza right now and are prioritising emergency medical supplies and fuel for hospital generators.

Humanitarians and the war between Hamas and Israel

Hugo Slim (Senior Research Fellow, Las Casas Institute for Social Justice at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford), submitted 26 October 2023

Being a humanitarian in the many wars between Palestinians and Israelis always hurts. This war will be especially terrible for two reasons.

First, Israeli and Palestinian first responders are suffering very personally in this war: from what they have seen; from being victims themselves, and because their family and friends are being killed, injured, kidnapped and displaced.

Second, this war is felt and framed by Israel and Hamas as a war of survival in which military necessity will frequently override humanity to produce an intensely violent conduct of hostilities.

As the war gets worse, international humanitarians must try to keep a compassionate and clear-sighted view of this long conflict, and the battle of narratives around it. Certain considerations of the conflict and the challenge of aid may help.

To start, we can recognise the just cause of Israelis and Palestinians alike for political self-determination – an Israeli state and a Palestinian state. But we can also be sure that there is never a just cause when either side seeks the elimination of a rival people, as some extremist Palestinians and Israelis clearly do.

We can also recognise the great suffering and many moral wrongs in the last 100 years of the conflict, and that some political groups have always deliberately undercut efforts to make peace.

Palestinians and their regional allies have repeatedly attacked Israel. Palestinian extremists have terrorised Israeli towns with rockets and murdered Israelis with suicide bombs, year after year. We can clearly acknowledge that the massacres and hostage taking of Israelis on 7 October was a new scale of wickedness in Hamas violence.

Israeli extremists have killed and terrorised Palestinians, and forcibly dispossessed them of their land, year after year. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have occupied and blockaded Gaza, and attacked it fiercely from the air, killing many people.

The provision of relief is the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) rule on which humanitarian action is based. Palestinians and Israelis are entitled to humanitarian relief and humane treatment, whether they are civilians, wounded combatants or detained.

Humanitarian relief requires the consent of states and warring parties. Only valid reasons for withholding this consent can count, such as aid not being needed, or its being abused to support military effort. Refusal of consent by Hamas, Israel or Egypt with the intention of bringing about extreme suffering, collective punishment or starvation is illegal. Deliberately exaggerating humanitarian need is also a breach of the impartiality required by IHL.

Neutral humanitarians must be just that. They must abstain from political side-taking, be honest about the conduct of warring parties, work with all parties when they can, and help anyone who is harmed or at risk.

Non-neutral humanitarians – who hope for the victory of their side – must equally commit to saving lives and helping people. They should not use humanitarian programmes as cover for military activity. If a wounded enemy falls into their hands, they must treat them humanely.

Many Israeli and Palestinian humanitarians feel no choice but to risk their lives in this war, which like other ‘big wars’, will produce heavy humanitarian sacrifices.

Standing in solidarity: the last act of humanity

Rayyan Haries (Grassroots humanitarian practitioner and MSc. Candidate at University of York, UK), submitted 27 October 2023

In the complexities of our global politics, where policies can be circumvented, calls for ceasefires and peace can be ignored, and international interventions fall on deaf ears, there emerged a force: the power of human solidarity. The current crisis in Gaza and Israel brings this to the forefront. When every other intervention seems to have been exhausted, perhaps the only act left, and arguably the most poignant one, is human solidarity.

To truly understand the depth of the Israel–Palestine conflict requires peeling back layers of historical context, sociopolitical grievances and decades-long territorial disputes. Over the years there have been countless attempts at achieving peace, and yet these are often riddled with breakdowns and disappointment. While ceasefires exist as a means of respite, they are mere intermissions in the continuous cycle of violence. This cycle of violence continues to kill thousands and displace millions more. Yet, amidst this violence and bleak outcome remains a beacon of hope: a resounding strength of solidarity.

Drawing a parallel to Rebecca Solnit’s insightful work on the profound power of solidarity, human solidarity is not just a passive sentiment, it is an active demonstration of unity and shared humanity. It is when crises bring people from different backgrounds, beliefs and nationalities together in support of peace and the rejection of violence. This showcases a message stronger than any political statement and affirms a stance beyond any difference in political views, nationalities, religions or beliefs. Historically, the world has witnessed the power of collective solidarity in other past humanitarian crises. We can learn from the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa to the civil rights struggles in the United States where solidarity has often tipped the scale in favour of justice, equity and peace.

Perhaps it is utopic and idealistic to think that showcasing solidarity alone can resolve the Gaza and Israel crisis. However, the act of collective solidarity has a profound psychological and moral impact on humanity. Solidarity can have the power to shift narratives, change mindsets and more importantly, inspire those in positions of power to think and act differently. These serve as a reminder that behind every policy, every decision and every act of aggression or defence, there is human life at stake. Especially in this era of borderless digital reach, collective solidarity is not geographically confined. A showcase of solidarity in one corner of the world can create waves that amplify across continents. The current social media platforms, despite their ongoing criticisms, have been an instrumental tool in mobilising a global movement of solidarity and support for causes that might otherwise remain unheard or local.

The crisis in Gaza and Israel remains complex and a solution might not be immediately on the horizon. However, when other measures fall short and hope seems to be waning, the strong collective solidarity in rejecting violence can make a difference. It is all about solidarity in choosing peace, choosing empathy and recognising our shared human experience. Showcasing solidarity might just be our last, and perhaps most significant, act of humanity in this crisis.

Gaza is facing a catastrophic public health crisis – how can we help?

Devina Buckshee (Health Journalist and Researcher, Yale School of Public Health), submitted 31 October 2023

As the bombs continue to drop in the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict, civilians in Gaza and the West Bank face a ‘public health catastrophe’, says the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, 31 October.

Thousands of civilians in Gaza are currently dealing with compounding health crises: overwhelmed hospitals; a lack of clean water, aid, electricity and medical supplies; and most recently, an internet blockade.

‘They are in conditions that are as extreme as any I’ve seen occur in my 24-year long career,’ says Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) and a Lecturer in the Department of the Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at YSPH. ‘What’s happening in Gaza ranks with or exceeds Aleppo and Homs. This is worse.’

On Sunday, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said that there are an estimated 50,000 pregnant women in the Gaza Strip who cannot obtain basic health services. ‘The health-care system is under attack on the brink of collapse and these pregnant women who continue to give birth every single day are really facing unthinkable challenges,’ said Dominic Allen, the UNFPA representative for the State of Palestine in The Global News.

Gaza is an urban environment with many children, and other vulnerable groups like the elderly or people with disabilities. ‘Another vulnerable group is those reliant on humanitarian assistance which in Gaza is almost all of the civilian population,’ says Raymond.

A prime concern, Raymond explains, is that ‘large amounts of civilians are trapped in a very small area with a high level of ongoing bombardment that is occurring in the midst of the collapse of Gaza’s ability to provide emergency healthcare and basic humanitarian assistance.’

This is the immediate crisis. But it’s now combined with the creation of conditions on top of pre-conflict precarity that can produce secondary casualties from waterborne disease (such as cholera and dysentery), malnutrition, lack of clean water, and basically an inability for the population to effectively flee.

A third concurrent crisis is the bombing of aid workers and aid establishments like hospitals. Even before the bombings of the Ahli Arab Hospital and the damage to the Indonesian Cancer Hospital, four hospitals in northern Gaza had already been abandoned and 21 hospitals had been told to evacuate, according to WHO.

Raymond says that what we are seeing is a complex disaster that’s getting worse day by day. ‘The first casualty of this level of bombardment is usually the healthcare system even if hospitals were not hit – and they were. So what’s happening is that hospitals, even if operational, are overwhelmed by density of patient burden, complex cases, and lack of consistent resupply, and providers dying. So we have excess mortality occurring entirely separate from primarily critical incidents of a munition strike.’

On a personal note, Raymond says that too many aid workers have died while in service. ‘And in Gaza, most UNRWA personnel are also beneficiaries of aid in some way. The UNRWA personnel in Gaza are some of the most committed aid workers I have seen in 24 years of my career.’

So now three things need to happen urgently to help:

1. All parties must respect the laws of conflict.
2. Humanitarians and aid must have free and unhindered access into Gaza.
3. Civilians must be able to move safely to safety.

The second point is crucial, as aid workers can then get an accurate assessment of the level of damage, bodies like the UN and Red Cross on the ground are essential to understand the scope and population needs, especially at a time when misinformation and disinformation are at an unfathomable level.

As Raymond says, ‘The UN is doing their job and must have access to do their job. The protection of civilians should be the least controversial concept.’ A ceasefire is life-saving; it is crucial.

Why a ‘humanitarian pause’ or ‘humanitarian corridors’ are simply not the answer in Gaza

Richard Stanforth (Senior Policy Advisor, Oxfam) and Magnus Corfixen (Humanitarian Lead, Oxfam), submitted 3 November 2023

Many in the international community including the UK are pressing for a ‘humanitarian pause’, while others have called for ‘humanitarian corridors’ and so-called ‘safe zones’ in Gaza. Oxfam and many other humanitarian organisations, however, are not joining them – these interventions will not address the desperate need for aid in Gaza anywhere near effectively enough.

Here are four big problems with pauses, corridors and safe zones.

1. International law means we shouldn’t need pauses or corridors in the first place
   International humanitarian law makes it illegal to target civilians, or deny humanitarian relief supplies including food, medicines or water. It is also illegal to destroy what are called ‘objects indispensable to the survival’ of civilians such as food warehouses, food trucks or water networks. The creation of safe zones cannot be used to label everything else a legitimate target.
2. Corridors and pauses are fragile and often ignored
   There are no specific laws governing humanitarian corridors or safe zones: they are voluntary agreements. Sometimes declarations are made by just one side, or established with minimal standards, and are therefore extremely fragile. Different sides may declare or agree that an area is de-militarised but so often the corridors and safe zones are not respected by those fighting in a war, putting civilians and humanitarian workers at risk.
3. They may even put civilians at greater risk
   In wars, civilians and soldiers alike are often unable to access credible information. Rumours and misinformation spreads that this road or that ‘safe zone’ has been declared a demilitarised area, but that is often not true, leaving people walking into a warzone believing it is safe.

Governments and armed groups may take advantage of corridors to move personnel or military supplies, actually fuelling the conflict. Armed groups or governments may hide troops/combatants among civilians in supposed safe zones. Sometimes a corridor may be declared for a particular time period but, when this expires, again civilians can inadvertently end up caught in the violence.

4. History makes Palestinians in particular fear talk of safe zones and corridors
   Palestinians have a history of being displaced since Israel was founded in 1948. Many Palestinians were forced to flee their homes to other countries or the West Bank or Gaza. Then in subsequent wars in 1967 and 1973, many Palestinians were forced to move again. Palestinians in Gaza fear that talk of forcing them into humanitarian corridors and safe zones is really an attempt to remove them permanently from their land to a new location – as has happened throughout their history – and in particular to push them into Egypt.

For humanitarians, a ceasefire is the only solution that works. Given the scale of need, we must establish a proper, broad aid operation in a safe and peaceful context. That means far more than handing out small amounts of aid through Rafah under bombardment: instead, Gaza needs a coordinated effort that meets the urgent needs of all of its people, including the particular needs of women and vulnerable groups.

That is why we are calling for a ceasefire to end the violence and deaths of civilians in Israel and Palestine – stopping the violence for good rather than a temporary ceasefire, ‘pause’ or a corridor, which might take just as long to negotiate but will not have anywhere near the same impact. Such a ceasefire will also be an essential precursor to peace talks and addressing the root causes of the conflict.

Right now, bombs are constantly falling across Gaza, with the BBC estimating that, at times, six bombs/missiles are hitting Gaza every minute. This is a massive concern not just for civilians but also for brave humanitarians who will have to deliver aid inside Gaza. The UN Agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) reports that it has lost more than 70 of its staff members in the past three weeks, and the toll on local Gaza organisations who are taking the lead will be high.

Even if more trucks cross into Gaza, it still does not address the fact that Gaza is under constant bombardment, further crippling the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance. Roads across Gaza have been damaged; there is little availability of warehousing; and the fuel, needed to ensure that the aid supplies can reach those most in need, is nowhere to be found. All this makes humanitarian assistance not only dangerous but logistically impossible.

World leaders must secure a ceasefire, as that is the only way to deliver the aid Gaza so desperately needs. Without a ceasefire we will be putting both humanitarian agencies and civilians at further risk. How can Oxfam, our partners, national organisations and other humanitarian agencies be expected to deliver aid as bombs continue to fall?

[This is an edited version of a longer blog that is available on the Oxfam website.]

Humanitarian crisis: the ongoing 56-year-old case of Gaza

Nour Al Zouabi (MPH Student, Yale School of Public Health), submitted 15 November 2023

It has been more than a month since Israel’s non-stop bombardment on Gaza, where the death toll has exceeded 11,000 innocent civilians, of whom the majority are women and children. While the Palestine–Israel conflict has been a global issue for decades, the recent actions of ethnic cleansing and siege on Gaza, which was already an ‘open-air prison’, and the lack of the basic necessities of life are violations of International Humanitarian Law.

The Gaza Strip is currently facing a devastating humanitarian crisis. Israel’s actions, surprisingly, have received international support, including from allied Western countries. Why is killing civilians and health and NGO workers inside hospitals, UNRWA shelters and religious institutions an acceptable and admired action by world leaders? Every day, Gazans walk the streets hearing the last words of people under the rubble calling for help. Hospitals are full of injured people, and physicians perform surgeries in the hallways without anesthesia and rely on the phone’s flashlight to see. The world is witnessing kids holding school backpacks with their family members’ body parts inside instead of books.

A call for a ceasefire in Gaza is a moral and human responsibility. Silence and a neutral stance do not support the humanitarian cause – they condone the ongoing bombing of Gaza. Ceasefire NOW!

Redefining reconstruction: a new path for Gaza post-2023

Sansom Milton, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, submitted 21 November 2023

In the wake of the 2023 Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, a discernible shift is emerging in policy discussions, with Western leaders increasingly focused on the crucial question of Gaza’s post-‘invasion’ future. Whilst some may argue that discussing post-war planning before the implementation of a ceasefire is premature or unethical, it is vital to recognise that proactive planning is essential to avoid repeating past mistakes. Particularly, with the topic of post-war Gaza becoming central in policy discourse, and considering that Gaza’s future security and governance will likely be key components in negotiations over any long-term ceasefire, engaging in these conversations now is both timely and necessary.

Historically, the post-war phases in Gaza following the conflicts of 2008–2009, 2012, 2014 and 2021 offer crucial lessons, but the ongoing events in 2023 present unique challenges. Amongst these is the attempt by Israel and the United States to shift the responsibility for Gaza’s security and rebuilding onto Arab states, reshaping regional dynamics and raising questions about long-term stability in the Strip.

A critical aspect of this discourse is the concept of ‘de-Hamasification’. Israel might have the military prowess to destroy Gaza’s physical infrastructure, but resistance in Gaza is not merely a physical entity. Rather, it is an ingrained ideology and movement that cannot be eradicated through military might alone. This reality renders the notion of ‘de-Hamasification’ not only impractical but also counterproductive. Not only so, but the continued destruction of and onslaught in Gaza only serves to ensure that another Hamas-like movement will emerge should Israel truly succeed in its impossible aim to eradicate the group. Violence begets violence, and the majority of Hamas’s fighters were themselves made orphans in the previous rounds of aggression in the Strip.

Moreover, the idea of passing governance responsibility to the Palestinian Authority seems like wishful thinking. Its struggles with effective governance and legitimacy in the West Bank underscore the gap between theoretical aspirations and the complex realities on the ground.

Reconstruction in Gaza is undeniably a collective responsibility, but there is a strong case for symbolically presenting the bill to Israel. This gesture would acknowledge the impact of its military actions on Gaza’s infrastructure and civilian life.

Furthermore, Israel’s plans, which imply a reduction of the territory of the Gaza Strip, are untenable in one of the world’s most densely populated areas. A long-term ceasefire should, instead, involve the expansion of Palestinian living space. This is not just a fair approach but a necessary condition for restoring security and a semblance of normality, offering a more tenable solution than the ongoing blockade.

As Gaza’s future is being shaped, it is crucial that these conversations reflect the realities on the ground and the lessons from the past. Only through a realistic, humane, and forward-thinking approach can a lasting solution be found for Gaza – one that goes beyond the ceasefire and addresses the root causes of the conflict.

Israel’s weaponisation of medical and humanitarian aid

Zeina Jamal, Visiting Researcher at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, submitted 21 November 2023

The six-week long Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip has inevitably resulted in the weaponisation of the provision of medical and humanitarian aid. This weaponisation is part and parcel of Israel’s policy in Gaza. The obstruction or manipulation of aid delivery for political or military purposes breaches International Humanitarian Law and may constitute war crimes. Israel’s handling of medical and humanitarian aid in Gaza raises ethical and legal concerns. The deliberate targeting of medical personnel, ambulances, healthcare infrastructure and water treatment facilities further compounds Gaza’s public health challenges. Limited and conditional humanitarian aid, along with restrictions on fuel, electricity and water, has contributed to the breakdown of an already fragile healthcare system and further exacerbated pre-existing weaknesses.

The war has damaged and destroyed Gazan hospitals and healthcare services. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 137 attacks on healthcare facilities between 12 October and 14 November, with over 16 healthcare workers killed. Most hospitals have been shuttered due to the ongoing assault, lack of staff, medications, equipment and fuel, making it difficult to attend to people’s medical needs. Israel has only permitted half of Gaza’s daily minimum fuel requirements, which is insufficient for desalination plants, hospitals and relief vehicles. Insufficient fuel will lead to a scarcity of clean drinking water since only two-thirds of daily needs can be met at current levels. With sewage flooding in large parts of Gaza and 70% of solid waste remaining uncollected, outbreaks of illness are highly likely. Due to fuel limitations, humanitarian organisations must choose which vital services to provide, as supply levels entering Rafah daily are far below humanitarian needs.

In conflicts and crises, the weaponisation of medical and humanitarian aid not only violates the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality, but also erodes the basic rights of civilians to access essential healthcare and humanitarian assistance. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently suggested that Israel’s actions ‘may be’ in violation of articles 55, 56 and 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that obligates the protection of civilians in occupied territories. Upholding the principles of International Humanitarian Law and ensuring unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance are critical to mitigating the public health impacts of armed conflicts and humanitarian crises.

It is essential that the international community urgently moves to counter Israel’s weaponisation of medical and humanitarian aid. This requires a collective commitment through concerted diplomatic efforts, legal accountability and advocacy for safeguarding civilian populations. Despite the unquestionable importance of doing so, it is also imperative to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza – this is crucial and non-negotiable. At this point, even if humanitarian and medical aid is provided, the human capacity in medical facilities has been compromised, and the existing civilian infrastructure has already been severely damaged. As humanitarian and medical assistance further dwindles and it becomes logistically impossible to deliver to alleviate suffering, only a ceasefire will put an end to this catastrophe. Moving forward, addressing the root causes of violence starting with the Israeli military occupation and apartheid is the only way to preserve lives and prevent future military escalations.

The UN’s weak response to Gaza: a disheartening let-down

Ghassan ElKahlout, Director, Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, submitted 28 November 2023

The Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip has deepened scepticism towards the United Nations, underscoring its failure to support the Palestinian people. This deficiency is glaringly evident in the UN’s weak response to the crisis in the Gaza Strip. The UN’s reaction has been notably passive, drawing accusations of silent complicity in the aggression on Gaza, as asserted by the spokesperson of the Palestinian government. The UN’s response has been confined to the release of brief reports, expressions of concern, and the issuance of statements that stop short of holding the Israeli state accountable for its systematic killing of civilians, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and collective punishment of Palestinians.

After seven weeks of unprecedented aggression against the Gaza Strip, the UN’s inability to provide essential supplies, secure a ceasefire, or protect its facilities and refugees in Gaza illustrates its shortcomings. It has also failed to leverage its unparalleled institutional capacities for preventive diplomacy to sufficiently back an urgently needed humanitarian pause or even a ceasefire.

Regrettably, this tepid response does not come as a surprise to millions of people over the world, especially the millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. For years, the UN has forewarned of the potential uninhabitability of the Gaza Strip, a situation exacerbated by Israel’s systemic blockade policies aimed at de-developing the Gaza Strip and eventually expelling its Palestinian population. Despite these longstanding warnings, global inaction persists, with the UN notably failing to act upon its own dire predictions. Marking a continued departure from its foundational mandate, these failures, coming on the heels of its delayed response to the northern Syria earthquake, have eroded public trust in the UN.

The UN’s charter, international law and the Responsibility to Protect doctrine mandate civilian protection, yet there is a glaring inconsistency in applying these principles universally. The politicisation of decision-making within the UN system hinders decisive action in Gaza, making intervention contingent on consensus by the permanent members of the Security Council. This is deepening a widespread belief that double standards are at play in the international response to Israel’s invasion, blockade and systematic destruction in the Gaza Strip. The vast majority of the Global South and the broader public can clearly discern Israeli crimes against humanity being met with silence or false moral equivalence by the UN.

The UN’s ineffective response in Gaza underscores the need for systemic reform of an organisation no longer fit for the purposes it was created for. Moving beyond bureaucratic inertia and Security Council limitations is crucial for the UN to align with its charter and effectively fulfil its mandate.

Between indifference and action: revisiting the extremism paradigm

Sara Arafa, humanitarian aid worker, submitted 28 November 2023

In the haunting stillness that follows the artillery’s echo in Gaza, the world’s conscience is put to the test. Here, amidst the rubble of shattered homes and shattered lives, a pressing question arises from the dust: have we, in our definition of extremism, overlooked the extreme disparity in our collective human response to suffering?

The outcry for the people of Ukraine, met with open arms and open hearts, stands in stark contrast to the muted whispers that greet the anguish of Gaza. The comparison is not to belittle one tragedy over another, but to ask why our empathy and outrage seem to have borders. This is more than an observation – it’s a plea to revisit our understanding of what constitutes extremism in our modern age.

Extremism is often characterised by the use of violence, by a departure from the ordinary into the realms of unjustifiable action. Yet, what could be more extreme than the world’s selective hearing when the cries of the vulnerable go unanswered? If extremism is a fire, then indifference and selective sympathy are the oxygen that breathes life into its embers.

The scenes in Gaza do not just paint a picture of a current crisis; they reveal a pattern, a historical echo that we have heard before. We’ve seen the rise of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, the children of conflict born amidst the desolation of Afghanistan and Iraq, fuelled by global neglect and wilful disregard. What we witnessed was not just the birth of movements, but the crystallisation of anger against an imbalance that appeared to be international doctrine. Yet, the level of global fury over the Palestinian plight threatens to cast a longer, darker shadow.

We now face a pivotal moment. The risk of polarisation increases, not just due to the pull of extremist rhetoric but because of the push of persistent international neglect. A person who feels unheard, unconsidered and unvalued by the global community is a person standing at a dangerous precipice. The disenfranchised do not need to seek extremism; too often, it finds them in their despair.

The wave of extremism that could follow from Gaza’s current plight may well be stemmed not by more security measures but by a more equitable distribution of empathy. Extremism, in its broadest and perhaps most insidious form, is the extremism of indifference. It is the kind that allows for the commodification of compassion, the kind that grades crises not by their human cost but by their geopolitical currency.

For the people of Gaza, the abandonment by the international community doesn’t just tarnish the notion of Western values, it shatters it. No human rights discourse can stand legitimate while the very principles of humanity are selectively applied. This is not merely about policy or politics – it’s about the soul of our global society.

The global reaction to the suffering in Gaza sends a message that will echo through the ages. Extremism feeds off the disparity between the outcry for some and the silence for others. It grows stronger in the void left by the absence of justice and the selective application of our collective values.

As we look upon Gaza, let’s redefine extremism not just as a product of radical ideology but as a result of our collective failure to respond with equal vigour to every cry for help. Let’s bind the term not only to those who commit acts of violence but to those who, through inaction, allow for the perpetuation of suffering.

In Gaza’s tearful gaze, we find a mirror for our moral selves. Faced with this reflection, we must decide whether to recognise and take responsibility, or to turn away and face the severe consequences of our indifference. It’s time to champion empathy, advocate for fairness, and fervently support humanity. Our legacy is shaped by how we extend solidarity without bias, affirming the boundless nature of empathy and the equality of human rights. Such empathy should go beyond just humanitarian aid, expanding into the political sphere to proactively and comprehensively address conflicts like those in Palestine. It’s about more than just meeting immediate needs – it involves active participation in political dialogue and advocacy. This approach not only addresses the immediate challenges but also contributes to a global shift in consciousness and policymaking, aiming for fair and just resolutions that respect the intricate complexities of these situations.

Pregnant women are the ‘forgotten victims’ of war

Asma Fazal, senior clinical ethicist at Advocate Health (Chicago, US), submitted 8 February 2024

The Palestine–Israel conflict has garnered significant global attention due to its high-profile political developments. However, there is an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza unfolding outside of the public spotlight. The severity of the crisis is such that it is having a significant impact on the most vulnerable members of society, namely children and women. As of 28 January 2024, the number of Palestinian fatalities due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and occupied Palestine has reached a total of 26,422, of which 10,000 are children and 7,000 are women.

In the context of armed conflict, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to encounter challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the estimated population of women in the reproductive age in Gaza is approximately 540,000 individuals. The continuous military attacks conducted by Israel in Gaza have intensified the hardships faced by a population of more than 50,000 pregnant women. Among those 50,000, around 180 women are giving birth daily. Approximately 15% of them ‘are likely to experience pregnancy or birth-related complications and need additional medical care’.

The provision of adequate healthcare in Gaza is severely lacking, resulting in detrimental consequences for both maternal and foetal health and contributing to rising mortality rates. There is a lack of secure delivery and maternal healthcare facilities, alongside diminished supplies of life-preserving materials.

Women are forced to give birth in unsanitary conditions, without adequate care and medical attention, risking medical complications and infections. Giving birth without a medical professional present can increase the risk of perinatal death. Mothers requiring caesarean sections are having this surgical procedure without anaesthesia. A significant number of individuals are facing challenges in the production of breastmilk because of inadequate access to nourishment and hydration. It is important to note that healthcare facilities are not safe zones, either, and have come under Israeli attack. Of the 24 hospitals in north Gaza, only seven remain open, though maternity and paediatric services are severely limited or non-existent.

The psychological ramifications of the hostilities can have deadly repercussions for reproductive health. These mothers are facing the risk of stress-induced miscarriages, stillbirths and premature deliveries. A significant number of women are experiencing haemorrhaging because of heightened anxiety and engaging in rapid movement due to the fear of projectile attacks. Numerous maternal fatalities occurred alongside the loss of their unborn offspring.

With this unfolding catastrophe, the moral imperative to act is evident. Why has the global community been slow to react to this crisis? Why has this not become a focal point in negotiations? And most importantly, how many more children and pregnant women need to suffer before the world takes notice?

One thing remains clear: we cannot let this crisis worsen. There is an urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to mitigate the prevailing suffering and avert the transformation of a dire situation into a catastrophic one. Fuel and medical supplies must be permitted to enter Gaza. It is imperative that all entities involved in the war adhere to their responsibilities as outlined in international humanitarian law, particularly in safeguarding the wellbeing of civilians and healthcare facilities. The provision of healthcare is a fundamental entitlement that extends to all individuals, including the hostages being detained in Gaza. The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages is imperative. It is imperative that all parties involved prioritise the safeguarding of children from harm and ensure that they receive the specific protection that they are entitled to under international humanitarian and human rights legislations. The presence of unclean water, inadequate access to essential life necessities, and insufficient provision of newborn and maternity care in Gaza represent more than just humanitarian concerns; they constitute a profound moral dilemma for the global community. It is imperative to demonstrate that we did not remain idle in the face of the unjust suffering of the innocent.