Honourable Penny Wong
Dear Minister
I am writing to you as an Australian doctor concerned about the dire humanitarian and healthcare crisis in Gaza. I am a signatory, to a petition initiated by Australian and New Zealand doctors for Palestine, which has garnered over 28,000 signatures urging Australia to support South Africa at the International Court of Justice.
As you are aware, the healthcare infrastructure in Gaza is compromised. Over 24,000 lives have been lost, and more than 50,000 severe injuries sustained within just three short months. In addition to deaths and injuries caused directly by weaponry; many more civilians are now dying from the lack of access to healthcare for chronic treatable health conditions. Basic medicines such as insulin, heart and asthma medications are not available. Some have now live in makeshift shelters with their homes shattered by bombs.
The latest data from the World Health Organization indicates that Israeli attacks have taken a massive toll on healthcare facilities, ambulances, and healthcare workers. 26 of 35 hospitals are not fully functional, only 6 ambulances remain to service the entire Gaza Strip, and 374 healthcare workers have been killed. Children are facing a threat to their lives due to diseases, malnutrition, and ongoing violent attack. There is a prospect of preventable deaths due to malnutrition, starvation, respiratory illnesses, and diarrhoeal diseases will soon outnumber the daily death toll from occupation forces.
According to multiple sources, as at December 28th 2023, 278 health care workers have been killed, including 104 physicians and several intergenerational medical families, 87 nurses and 87 paramedics. Further, more than 70 medical staff have been arrested and taken to unknown locations. The Head of Al Shifa Hospital, Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya, arrested on November 22 with other health care workers, continues to be detained. The list of health care worker casualties is likely incomplete and continues to increase. In addition to the attacks on individual health professionals, there have been 364 attacks on Gaza health care facilities, including hospitals, primary health care facilities and 190 ambulances. Health care facilities and institutions that have been bombed, damaged or shut down include: Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Gaza only cancer Hospital, the Turkish Palestinian Friendship Hospital, Abdel Aziz Al-Rantizi Paediatric Hospital, Al Nasr Paediatric Hospital, Al Quds Hospital, The International Eye Hospital, The Psychiatric Hospital, Al Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital, the Al Wafa elderly’s care centre, Al Durrah Children’s Hospital (targeted with prohibited white phosphorus on October 12), the Indonesian Hospital, Shifa Hospital, two medical schools (the Islamic University of Gaza and Al Azhar University Medical School) as well as medical and dental students.
In addition, an MSF evacuation convoy, an outpatients burn unit in Gaza city, an MSF minibus, a Red Cross ambulance convoy and Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance centre in Jabalya were attacked. Further, Palestine Red Crescent Society operations have been suspended owing to depletion of necessary supplies and reduced ability to evacuate patients. Of the remaining hospitals partially functioning, all are operating at more than double capacity in the face of critical deficiencies of fuel and other supplies. UN shelters are over-crowded, with outbreaks of diseases such as respiratory tract and skin infections, and diarrhoeal illnesses, on the background of starvation and lack of water and sanitation. This is a public health catastrophe. Even if the conflict ended today, without a massive humanitarian effort, these disease will continue to impact Gazans.
The psychological well-being of the children of Gaza is deeply compromised by fear, grief and lack of access to basic human needs. This surely will only lead to a new generation of young men and women who can be manipulated by terrorist organisations.
The blockade on basic human necessities and healthcare is part of the genocidal acts by the Israeli government as alleged by voice of South Africa.
I am praying that the International Court of Justice will take immediate action to address this humanitarian crisis, ensuring justice, protection of human rights, and the well-being of the vulnerable population in Gaza. The Australian petition’s substantial support reflects a national outcry for accountability and intervention. This is further emphasised by a global petition which has attracted over half a million signatures.
This appalling situation is matter of grave concern for myself as a healthcare professional. It can only start to be managed with an immediate ceasefire. In addition, political, non-lethal pressure should be brought for Hamas and Islamic Jahid to release back to the families all the remaining Israeli hostages as a step towards reconciliation.
When you visit Israel, I hope you voice will carry weight to end this conflict, press for hostage release, and push for free flow of aid and urgent work on food, water and shelter for Gazan civilians.
Thank you for your time
Yours faithfully
Dr Mark Raines
Mackay
16 January 2024