Human Rights Violations during Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip: December 27 2008 to January 19 2009

The Israeli army attack on the Gaza Strip, December 27th 2008 till January 19th 2009, was planned months in advance, and indicates profound changes in Israeli policy making. This war was characterized by gross unprecedented human rights violations, an outcome of a declared political decision to overlook losses of civilians in order to save Israeli soldiers' lives. Violations included attacking medical personnel; impeding emergency medical evacuations; restricted health care for the civilian population; prevention of referral to care outside the Gaza Strip; jeopardized distribution of medical supplies and food; and atypical attacks against civilians.

This presentation elaborates on these gross human rights violations, focusing on the right to health of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The presentation highlights these violations by presenting case studies that have been collected by Physicians for Human Rights Israel in the immediate aftermath of the attack. It emphasizes how the Palestinian medical system has been stretched to breaking point, severely negatively affecting the provision of medical and health care services; the consequences of denial of referral of patients outside the Gaza Strip; and the killing of unarmed civilians.

It concludes by demanding accountability and independent investigation of medically related violations and war crimes by Israel; demanding the opening of crossing to people (patients and doctors) and good by Israel, and calls on Israel to take responsibility for rebuilding the infrastructure, medical system and injured patients. The presentation will reiterate that only the removal of Israeli military occupation of Palestinian land can guarantee Palestinians' right to health.