War Attacks on Medical Staff, Hospital and Healthcare System During 225 Days in Gaza: A Scoping Review and Efficiency Assessment of the International Humanitarian Law

Mohammadreza  Salehi; Fatemeh  Bahramnezhad; Zeinab  Siami; Sepideh  Mohammadpour; Laya  Besharati; Shahin  Akhondzadeh

doi:10.18502/jimc.v8i1.17056

Mohammadreza Salehi Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Bahramnezhad Department of Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zeinab Siami Department of Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sepideh Mohammadpour International College, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Laya Besharati Department of Critical Care Nursing, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shahin Akhondzadeh Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v8i1.17056

Keywords: Gaza, Medical facilities, Medical staff, War attacks

Abstract

During wars, hospitals, medical staff, and civilians are protected by International Humanitarian Law (IHL). However, this importance is not observed in some instances. We examined the killing of medical staff and attacks on medical facilities during the Gaza war. In this scoping review, we gathered data from primary and secondary sources, such as newspapers, peer-reviewed journals, open-source platforms, social networks, and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) websites from October 27, 2023 to May 21, 2024. Additionally, we collected data from some organizations, such as Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), the World Health Organization (WHO), Palestine Ministry of Health, World Bank, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

According to different reports, between 400 to 800 incidents of violence against the healthcare services were documented in Gaza from the start of the war on October 27, 2023 until May 21, 2024. These incidents include obstruction of access to medical facilities, attack on ambulances, damage to hospital buildings, and targeting of medical staff and healthcare volunteers. Although the WHO issued warnings to stop the violence against medical staff and health facilities, these efforts were unsuccessful.

The results revealed that unprecedented tragedies are occurring in Gaza, where medical facilities and staff are being targeted and killed. However, the response of international organizations appears to be passive and not appropriate to the extent of the war crimes. Moving forward, the international community should consider developing more effective solutions to address criminal behavior within the healthcare sector.