'Israel' systematically abused Palestinian medics: Rights group
'Israel' systematically abused Palestinian medics: Rights group
"Israel" has systematically targeted Palestinian healthcare workers in Gaza, subjecting them to arbitrary detention, torture, and abuse, a new report by Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) revealed.
Between July and December, over two dozen medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and paramedics, were detained by Israeli forces in Gaza. They spent more than six months in isolation, with some enduring severe physical and psychological abuse.
The report highlighted that these arrests were primarily aimed at gathering intelligence rather than investigating alleged criminal activity. PHRI argued that these actions violate international human rights standards, labeling them as arbitrary and unlawful.
According to PHRI, the abuse included beatings, sexual assault, dog attacks, sensory overload, and the pouring of boiling water on detainees. Healthcare workers were also subjected to long interrogations, often while enduring physical violence. Many were arrested while performing their medical duties, including at hospitals, and others were detained at their homes or checkpoints.
The group called for the immediate release of all detained medical personnel and demanded guarantees that their rights and protections be respected.
PHRI also detailed how the detention of these workers is harming Gaza’s already decimated healthcare system, exacerbated by the war. More than 1,000 health workers have been killed since October 2023, and the ongoing detentions continue to undermine the delivery of vital medical services. Some workers reported being denied legal representation and coerced into signing documents in Hebrew. Others were held in detention without charge or trial, in violation of international law.
Israeli authorities prevent health workers from entering Gaza
In a related context, Human Rights Watch reported that Israeli authorities barred an orthopedic surgeon from entering Gaza last week, preventing her from delivering critical treatment to children with disabilities due to the brutal Israeli war.
Among those affected is Minah, a three-year-old girl with clubfoot, who has been left without essential medical care for months. As a result, her feet have begun to turn inward again. The surgeon had planned to perform a corrective procedure to address the issue.
Minah had initially received treatment in October 2024 when the orthopedic specialist visited Gaza. She was placed in a series of casts designed to gradually correct her foot position, a process that typically requires multiple adjustments. However, without follow-up care, her condition has worsened.
Minah’s case is not unique. Prior to October 2023, approximately 98,000 children in Gaza had disabilities. Since then, thousands more have suffered injuries due to "Israel’s" use of explosive weapons, leaving many in need of reconstructive surgeries. For the past 15 months, newborns and young children have had almost no access to follow-up medical care, increasing the likelihood of severe health complications.
Despite the mid-January ceasefire, the Israeli military has repeatedly blocked medical professionals from entering Gaza without providing any justification. On the same day Minah’s doctor was denied entry, another orthopedic surgeon from the same team was also denied entry, according to the doctor. Similarly, Dr. Mohammad Subeh, an emergency physician planning to assist in reopening Al-Shifa Hospital and train medical staff, reported that he and his team, along with four other medical personnel traveling with a partner organization, were denied entry two days later.
On February 12, plastic surgeon Victoria Rose was also prevented from entering Gaza. She attempted again the following week but was rejected once more. Dr. Rose had intended to perform reconstructive surgeries and train medical students, a crucial task given the acute shortage of specialists amid the destruction of Gaza’s healthcare system. “Two other plastic surgeons and one orthopedic surgeon on my team were also denied,” she stated.
Vascular surgeon Nabeel Rana experienced a similar fate on February 23, just eight hours before his scheduled deployment. Despite receiving preliminary clearance over a month in advance, his permission was suddenly revoked without explanation—a pattern reported by numerous other medical professionals.
Gaza’s healthcare system, as per the report, has collapsed following repeated Israeli attacks on hospitals, medical facilities, and personnel. The unlawful blockade of essential supplies like water, fuel, and electricity, along with the arbitrary detention and mistreatment of Palestinian health workers, has further crippled the sector.
By blocking medical professionals from entering, Israeli authorities are deepening a cycle of violations against Palestinians' right to healthcare. As the occupying power, "Israel" controls access to and from Gaza, including medical evacuations.
"Israel’s" allies must pressure the country to uphold its legal obligations and allow healthcare workers into Gaza.
“Children like Minah deserve the care they urgently need,” the report emphasized.