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Israeli Violations against Palestinian Civilians and the Health Sector During Bloody July 2006 ( ministry of health report)
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) intensified its aggression against the Palestinian people particularly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank city of Nablus, by continuous artillery and air strikes resulting in the killing and maiming of hundreds of civilians. Additionally, the IOF deliberately destroyed the Gaza Strip’s only electricity power station, water networks, roads and bridges and other infrastructure and civilian property. According to Amnesty International, this deliberate destruction is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and will pose major and long-term humanitarian consequences for the 1.5 million inhabitants in the Gaza Strip.
Due to the ongoing siege by the IOF, and the continuing economic sanctions and trade embargo imposed by Israel, the U.S and other western nations, Gazans in particular are on the brink of a humanitarian disaster according to Physicians for Human Rights.
Thousands have been forced to flee their homes following continuing IOF incursions into the Strip and heavy shelling. Most if not all of the border crossings have been hermetically sealed, thus preventing the entrance of vitally needed provisions such as food, water and medicine. Today, Gazans are facing a severe food shortage and a greatly impaired healthcare system. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that an increasing number of Palestinians are facing impoverishment.
The amount of medicines is alarmingly low, as are needed fuel and medical supplies. Without a steady supply of fuel, medical supplies, and medicines, hospitals cannot perform life-saving surgeries and patients with cancer cannot get chemotherapy.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, during the month of July, the IOF killed 177 Palestinians, commonly referred to as martyrs (444 of them were children under 18 years old).
The IOF injured more than 1,000 civilians (331 of them were children under 18 years old). Furthermore, Palestinian hospitals admitted 3 martyrs (who later died) and 23 wounded children between the ages of 3 months and 4 years old.
Since the end of August, Israel has killed a total of 262 people and injured more than 1,200 of whom 60 had arms or legs amputated, says Dr Juma al-Saqa, the director of the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City which is fast running out of medicine. Of these, 64 were children and 26 women.
June and July Statistics on Deaths and Injuries Palestinian Ministry of Health
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Ibdaa Health Committee (IHC) |
Connecting health with human rights and dignity |
| July 2006 | June 2006 | Increase % |
Martyrs (deaths) | 177 | 55 | 222% |
Wounded | 1,010 | 317 | 219% |