Human rights violations during Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip: 27 December 2008 to 19 January 2009.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Human Rights Law
• International Humanitarian Law

Background:

• The 2008-2009 Israeli military operation in Gaza resulted in significant human rights violations.
• These violations included attacks on medical personnel and civilians, and restrictions on healthcare access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the right to health of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
• To present case studies on the impact of the Gaza conflict on healthcare provision.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of case studies collected by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.
• Focus on violations of the right to health during the Israeli Gaza offensive.

Main Results:

• The Palestinian medical system was severely strained, negatively impacting medical services.
• Denial of patient referrals outside Gaza and restricted access to medical supplies and food were critical issues.
• Gross human rights violations were a deliberate outcome of political decisions.

Conclusions:

• The Israeli occupation critically undermines the right to health for Palestinians.
• Withdrawal of Israeli occupation is presented as the sole guarantee for Palestinian right to health.