Living With the Pain The 2014 attacks on Gaza's Healthcare System, two years on
Israel's 2014 assault on Gaza killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and injured 11,000 people. Gaza's health facilities were also in the firing line, with 17 hospitals, 56 primary healthcare centres and 45 ambulances damaged or destroyed.
Two years on, with our partners the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, we revisited a number of victims and survivors of these attacks to hear how a lack of accountability or justice has impacted their lives.
Mebarrat Palestine Centre for People With Disabilities
Destroyed 12 July 2014
Ms Jamila, Director of Centre: "I think the army may be trying to avoid responsibility in our case. In case of another attack we have added a safety shelter into the new plans. We will make sure that the World Health Organisation gives the location of the new building to the Israelis. Even in the old building, we had a big sign on the wall indicating the purpose of this building."
"We provided psychological support to the patients who were present during the attack. Now they talk about what happened as a story, it does not affect them that much anymore"
Al Aqsa Hospital
Damaged 21 July 2014
Eman, nurse injured in the attack: “Nobody is safe in their own house, but I will keep coming to work to serve the patients and I hope my injury will allow me to do that. I will never feel safe in the hospital. Israel does not care about any laws and they just do whatever they like.”
Amna Abu Dahrouj, whose son Alaa was killed in the attack: “Since the attacks there is fear and there is no safety. I saw my son dying in front of me. All of a sudden he was gone. He was 16 years old. Every time I see my three children, I remember that the fourth one is missing. It is painful and it makes me sad. My other son is ten years old, he gets scared every time he hears a plane flying over. He thinks another war started and that he is going to die.”
Al Wafa Hospital
Destroyed, 23 July 2014
Dr Basman, Director of Al Wafa: "We do not expect to get anything from our legal case, but I hope that someone will hear the voices of the weak, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Local groups, international organisations, individuals and families heard the call but when it comes to governments, the ICC or the international community, I have lost hope. How could the world sit and watch what was happening to Al Wafa?"
"For safety reasons we cannot rebuild in the same location. This is the second time the hospital has been targeted. We are not going to risk a third time. Human life is too precious. There is no safe space in Gaza."
Bader Qdeih
Seven year old boy, died after four hours of delay to ambulances
Bader's father: "The feeling of sadness gets worse every day because it is a day longer that I have lived without my son."
"International laws and human rights are known everywhere but they are not respected in Gaza by Israel, so why would anything be different this time? The Israelis have the best technology in the world, they know that there were women and children in Khuza’a"
Mohammed Al Abadla
Ambulance driver, killed 28 August 2014
Mohammed’s mother: "Mohamed’s youngest daughter, Amaal, asks me why she does not have a dad anymore. She looks at his photo and asks him, where are you daddy? I will teach her how he was a hero for his nation.”
Mohammed’s father: "There is no justice. Although I know it is my right to raise a case for the death of my son, there is not going to be a way to claim justice. We all know that he was killed while being on duty as a medical volunteer and in cold blood. There was coordination and he followed all the commands from the Israelis. I have lost all hope.”
Mohammed Ghazi, Director of Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Khan Younis: "This is about international law. Ambulances and medical staff are protected. They should have freedom of movement, they should not need to get permission from anyone. I am not sure if we will be able to put enough pressure to reach justice."
Yousef Darabieh
Volunteer medical worker, killed 1 August 2014
Yousef’s father, Jaber Darabieh: “I am hoping that the same mistakes will not happen again and impunity does not continue. The hospital is not safe during times of war, there is no safe space. Everybody is thinking that another war could start at any time."
"I would not hesitate to go to work if war breaks out again. I have such a passion for my work. The more Israel makes us suffer, the more I feel strengthened that I have to enjoy my human rights.”
