The situation
The Gaza Strip is a densely populated area of 365 km² where 2.2 million inhabitants live. Cut off from the world, the enclave has been under Israeli blockade for 16 years. Before the current crisis, public services were functional but the humanitarian situation was already precarious.
Since the beginning of the bombings on October 7th 2023 and the total siege imposed by the Israeli government on October 9th, Gaza has been facing a major humanitarian catastrophe. Public infrastructure has collapsed, especially the healthcare system and water supplies. The destruction of homes, healthcare facilities, schools, and other UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) shelters has precipitated this collapse. Most hospitals are barely functional. Health workers are facing severe shortages of medicine and medical equipment, while being overwhelmed by the influx of injured and displaced people.
Our Work
Since the terrorist attacks in October 2023, we have been providing significant support to the people of Gaza. We have been working in Gaza and the West Bank for over 20 years, and our long-standing relationships and networks meant that we could respond immediately to this overwhelming need for humanitarian support.
Working in Gaza is extremely difficult. We have lost a fellow member of staff. Our teams on the ground have been displaced, often multiple times, and struggle to find shelter and food, like the rest of the civilian population. Our office in Gaza City was bombed and destroyed in early February 2024 – despite its clear identification as a humanitarian facility. One of our staff members and their family had been sheltering in this office and were forcibly evicted just days before this destruction, with the men subjected to degrading treatment.
Despite these challenges we are delivering increasing medical support. We have makeshift clinics established in tents in Rafeh. We have teams of doctors, midwives, nurses and psychologists delivering around 500 consultations every day. We have medications to offer and have also set up mobile clinics that travel out to more remote shelters so that we can reach as many people as possible.
Doctors of the World call for an immediate ceasefire, and unrestricted humanitarian access into Gaza. The UK, alongside every other state, must follow international humanitarian law (IHL), which clearly lays down rules in war and the protection of civilians. Humanitarian and medical personnel, as well as hospitals and schools, should never be targeted. We condemn all abuses committed against civilians, whether Palestinian or Israeli. IHL must be respected by all parties.
