WFPHA Condemns Attacks on Civilian Populations Everywhere

Following the strong condemnation of the terrorist attacks on civilians in Israel perpetrated by Hamas, the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) also strongly condemns the Israeli forces’ attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip.

As alerted by the United Nations Secretary-General (UN-SG), António Guterres, while Israel’s security concerns are legitimate, military operations must be carried out strictly with international humanitarian law, and “civilians must be respected and protected at all times, and civilian infrastructure must never be a target”. Similarly, the European Union Foreign Policy Chief (EUFP-Chief), Josep Borrell, said clearly: “A collective punishment against all Palestinians will be unfair and unproductive. It will be (…) against the interest of peace. Not all the Palestinian people are terrorists.”

As a global public health organization, the WFPHA stresses that besides deaths and immediate threats to life, war and recurrent violence profoundly impact the mental health of people living in regions of armed conflict. Moreover, in conflict-affected areas, access to health services is limited due to the destruction of infrastructure and lack of resources.

Civilians in the Gaza Strip must have access to humanitarian aid, food, clean water, and healthcare services. The immediate release of hostages and the safe removal of children, women, and older people must be carried out urgently.

The WFPHA joins the UN-SG and the EUFP-Chief’s calls for respect for the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip, remembering that Palestinians and non-Palestinians, including UN staff have been victims in this war.