Similar to water, electricity, and food supply chains, the healthcare system, with its staff, clinics, hospitals, ambulances, and other facilities, is an essential part of the life-sustaining infrastructures of every society. It is hard to imagine a reality where the sick and injured have nowhere to receive treatment. In times of war and armed conflict, with the presence of traumatic war injuries and the interruption of daily medical practice, the healthcare system takes on an even more crucial role in saving lives and minimizing the harm of war on civilians.

Since October 2023, Gaza has witnessed surging rates of infectious diseases. By June 30, 2024, WHO reports showed nearly a million cases of acute respiratory infections, more than half a million cases of diarrhea, and approximately 104,000 cases of acute jaundice syndrome[1]. In addition to a high number of skin disease cases: over 103,000 cases of scabies and pediculosis, nearly 66,000 cases of skin rashes, and 11,214 cases of chicken pox[2].

Following Hamas's attack of military bases, Israeli kibbutzim, towns, and the Nova Music Festival, killing 1,139 people—including 375 Israeli security personnel and 764 civilians, of whom 36 were children—and taking 240 people as hostages, Israel launched a genocidal campaign. As of September 2024,, the Israeli military has bombed entire neighborhoods and its infantry and tanks have been occupying the Strip, killing over 40,000 Palestinians, of whom more than 15,000 are children (not including an untold number of people lost under the rubble).

“The destruction of the health system has been the main thrust of the [Israeli] military strategy.” This was the testimony of Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta after spending six weeks working in various hospitals across the Gaza Strip during the ongoing genocidal war against the Palestinian people[1].