After 15 months Israel‘s war on Gaza, Palestine, and the implementation of the ceasefire on 19 January 2025, displaced Palestinians are attempting to return home to the southern city of Rafah. While people try to rebuild the ruins, Rafah is totally destroyed, with homes, shops, streets and healthcare facilities in ruins and electricity and water systems damaged – and unsafe due to scattered unexploded ordnance in the ruins of buildings. Photo Credit: Mariam Abu Dagga
Statement |

MSF statement on EB156/17 - Health conditions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem

1 min
Photo Credit: Mariam Abu Dagga
After 15 months Israel‘s war on Gaza, Palestine, and the implementation of the ceasefire on 19 January 2025, displaced Palestinians are attempting to return home to the southern city of Rafah. While people try to rebuild the ruins, Rafah is totally destroyed, with homes, shops, streets and healthcare facilities in ruins and electricity and water systems damaged – and unsafe due to scattered unexploded ordnance in the ruins of buildings. Photo Credit: Mariam Abu Dagga

MSF witnesses firsthand the devastating impact of occupation and violence on access to healthcare in the occupied Palestinian territory.

WHO Executive Board's Special Session on Ebola UN Photo/Christopher Black

Read all MSF statements at WHO Executive Board 156th session

In Gaza, most hospitals have ceased to be fully functional, and more than 1000 health workers have been killed. In the Westbank, patients are trapped by violence or denied access to lifesaving care.

We remind all parties of their legal obligations to respect and protect the medical mission. Healthcare workers must be able to operate safely, and patients must receive care without fear. This is true in Palestine and in all conflict settings.

We urge the Secretariat and Member States to take concrete steps to ensure accountability for attacks on healthcare and to protect the right to medical care for all.

Read, watch, share