Israel is at war with healthcare in Gaza: Demand Canada act

Call on the Canadian government to act to end Israeli attacks on Gaza's healthcare.

On 27 December, 2024, Israeli forces besieged and attacked Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last remaining hospital in north Gaza.

Survivors report field executions, sexual abuse, and several parts of the hospital being set on fire by the Israeli military. Over 240 people were abducted from the hospital, including dozens of health care workers and people who appear to be patients.

One of the people abducted is Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a pediatrician and the hospital director. He had remained in the hospital for weeks, continuing to care for patients in north Gaza while the area is experiencing relentless bombardment and ethnic cleansing. In October, 2024, his young son, Ibrahim, was killed by an Israeli drone strike at the hospital gate. Dr Hussam Abu Safiya was previously targeted by Israel, including on 23 November, 2024, when he was shot by a quadcopter while working at the hospital.


It is reported that he has been taken to Sde Teiman, which has been described by Israeli human rights group, B’Tselem as a notorious “torture camp”.

Israel has demonstrated a pattern of claiming that health workers, journalists, aid workers and others are militants and that health facilities are used for military bases without proof. A recent United Nations investigation, in fact, found no instances in which Palestinian hospitals lost their protected status under international law. The report found that in totality, Israel’s attacks on health and health infrastructure are consistent with the crime against humanity of extermination.

All detained health workers, including Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, are at grave risk of being tortured and killed. At least 55 Palestinians have died since October, 2023 in Israeli detention, including at least four health workers. This comes against the background of the murder of approximately 1,000 Palestinian health workers and the abduction of 450 more; as well as reports of widespread torture including sexual abuses and rapes being committed by prison staff.

We call on the Government of Canada to urgently:
1. Condemn the abduction of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, all health workers, and civilians, and Israel’s destruction of the health system in Palestine
2. Use all diplomatic and other means at their disposal to pressure Israel to release abducted health workers including Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya
3. Use all diplomatic and other means at their disposal to pressure Israel to permit the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid and the safe movement of medical personnel, and patients – as required under international law
4. Implement a two-way arms embargo between Canada and Israel.

5. Condemn Israel's  killing, injuring, and detaining of Palestinian children.

It is the Government of Canada’s legal obligation to do everything within its power to urgently stop these violations of international law and inhumane and devastating attacks on health and life in Palestine.

Initiated by:

Health Workers Alliance for Palestine

Jews Say No To Genocide

Just Peace Advocates

Canadian Foreign Policy Institute

Ontario Palestinian Rights Association

Palestinian Youth Movement-Toronto