War on Hospitals
Article 8 of the Geneva Convention defines war crimes. Two definitions outlined in this statute relative to the article at hand are “intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives” and “intentionally directing attacks against buildings, material, medical units and transport, and personnel using the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions in conformity with international law.”
The first attack on Palestinian hospitals that marked the beginning of the assault on medical establishments was the bombing of the Baptist Al-Ahli hospital on October 17, 2023, which killed 473 Palestinians taking refuge in the hospital including children, women, elderly and medical staff. No one can ever forget the press conference held amid the bodies. At the time, the world was outraged saying “Israel” would never bomb a hospital, it does not participate in war crimes. It was simply a Palestinian rocket that had backfired, they claimed. Six months into “Israel’s” assault on Gaza, the world now knows it was not a Palestinian rocket, but to admit it means they have to admit “Israel” is committing war crimes.
The second time around, “Israel” figured that maybe it should provide a more reasonable excuse before attacking a hospital. When they attacked Al-Shifa Hospital on November 14, 2023, they claimed that Hamas fighters were hiding in tunnels under the hospital and that the captives were kept under Al-Shifa Hospital. Ten days after a long military siege on the hospital killing hundreds, no hostages or Hamas fighters were found. Most notable was the Israeli President admitting that “Israel” built the tunnels under the hospital many years ago after convincing the world of the need to attack Al-Shifa due to Hamas-built tunnels. Yet, the world remained silent.
Last month, the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis was attacked by Israeli tanks and hundreds of soldiers. This left 300,000 Palestinians living in Khan Younis with one hospital with a capacity of 20 beds. The hospital director was detained, thus joining the Israeli prize collection of hospital directors detained, which include Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital, Dr. Ahmad Kahlout, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, and Dr. Ahmad Muhana, director of Al-Awdah Hospital. Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, wrote on his X account: “Nasser hospital in #Gaza is not functional anymore, after a weeklong siege followed by the ongoing raid. Both yesterday and the day before, the @WHO team was not permitted to enter the hospital to assess the conditions of the patients and critical medical needs, despite reaching the hospital compound to deliver fuel alongside partners. There are still about 200 patients in the hospital. At least 20 need to be urgently referred to other hospitals to receive health care; medical referral is every patient’s right. The cost of delays will be paid by patients’ lives.”
On March 18, Al-Shifa Medical Complex was violated for the third time since October 7. 170 patients and displaced Palestinians were killed and 800 individuals were detained of whom more than 100 were medical staff. They claimed a large-scale operation was underway to capture Hamas fighters in the tunnels again. However, one cannot help but think why the world’s most “moral army”, which is operating under its “right to defend itself”, would then execute Dr. Muhammad Zaher al-Nono in cold blood for refusing to evacuate his critically injured patient. Why has this “moral army” now destroyed over 26 hospitals, killed 283 medical staff, and bombed 100 ambulances? Let us pause, close our eyes, and imagine what would be the world’s reaction if this happened in Ukraine.
Despite the lack of any corroborating evidence to their claims, with no confirmation of military activity inside any of the hospitals they have raided, the “free” world still denies evidence of war crimes. Even with announcements from international bodies such as UNRWA, WFP, and WHO about attacks on medical facilities and staff, “Israel” will not be condemned. What is the accepted evidence? Nobody truly knows the answer, or if there is an answer at all.
“Israel” is winning the war on hospitals, while humanity is losing the war for human rights. The killing of innocent civilians continues.
A doctor and a friend from Gaza wrote to me: “Do not write about us, just pray that we die before our loved ones.”
