Sunday May 12th is International Nurses Day. The day celebrating the work of Nurses takes place on what was the birth date of Florence Nightingale who did so much to raise awareness of the dreadful conditions in hospital facilities during the Crimean War of the 19th century.
Nurses have always been there during any military conflict selflessly taking care of all those caught up during war, combatants and civilians.
Usually in war zones the work of nurses and medics is recognised by the governments and organisations engaged in military offensives. This has not been the case in Gaza, where nurses, have even been specifically targeted by Israeli snipers while at work in hospitals. One nurse was shot through the head by a sniper whilst she was in the operating theatre.
Alaa Al Shawa was a volunteer nurse supporting MSF teams at Al-Shifa Hospital. He was killed during an attack on an MSF convoy on November 18 2023 while it was attempting to reach safety in southern Gaza.
“We arrived at the clinic and started to try to give Alaa life support, trying to stop the bleeding from his head. We couldn’t do anything. He died while we were trying to save his life.”
Picture courtesy of MSF
The MSF marked convoy was hit despite having informed the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) of the route they were travelling.
MSF reports: “Despite prior authorization from Israeli authorities, the MSF convoy wasn’t allowed to cross the checkpoint and was left waiting for hours. Shots were later heard by our staff, who out of fear decided to head back to the MSF premises, around four and a half miles north of the checkpoint.
“On their way back, between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. local time, the convoy was attacked on Al-Wahida Street near its junction with Said Al-A’as Street, close to MSF’s office. Two of the MSF cars were deliberately hit, killing Alaa and injuring a family member of another staff member, who later also died from his wound. “
The International Council for Nurses ICN) said:
“There must be protection and accountability for all frontline workers, including humanitarian and health workers.”
The ICN represents more than 130 national nurses associations around the world. ICN has repeatedly called for the end to hostilities, the protection of innocent civilians, and the protection of healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones across the world.
“It is never acceptable for humanitarian and health workers to be considered ‘collateral damage’ in such situations, and that is why ICN is urging the International Negotiating Body that is devising the new Pandemic Treaty to include the protection of nurses and other health workers. Nurses need to be as influential as they are trusted, their voice must be heard.”
So far 7 mass graves have been found in Gaza’s Hospitals: three at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza, three at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, and one in Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza – with 520 bodies recovered in total. On 7 May, responding to a media question on this subject in Geneva, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani indicated that “it is clear that mass graves exist” and reiterated the call for an independent investigation to establish the circumstances in which individuals were killed. Some of those killed had their hands restrained behind their backs indicating that they had been executed by Israeli forces.
All of the above are war crimes.
Dr Adnan al-Bursh, who was the head of orthopedics at Al Shifa Hospital, died whilst in an Israeli prison. Dr Adnan al-Bursh had been in good health before he was imprisoned by Israel. He was arrested along with 10 other medical colleagues over 4 months ago whilst attending to patients in Al-Awada Hospital in north Gaza. His body has not been released by Israel. It was announced by Israel that he had died on 19th April in Ofer Prison.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza as of 6th May, at least 34,735 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since 7 October. About 70 per cent of those killed are reported to be women and children. Another 78,108 Palestinians have been reportedly injured.
Israeli authorities report that since 7th October over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,432 injured. As of 10 May, 266 soldiers have been killed and 1,610 soldiers have been injured in Gaza or along the border in Israel.
1.7 million people have had to flee from their homes across Gaza, some many times.
Ground incursions and heavy fighting also continue to be reported south of Gaza city and in eastern Rafah, including the area of Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings. Rafah Crossing remains closed since 7 May.
“The closure of the crossings means no fuel. It means no trucks, no generators, no water, no electricity and no movement of people or goods. It means no aid…Civilians in Gaza are being starved and killed and we are prevented from helping them,” stated Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths.
Islanders in Orkney will again meet on the steps of St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall on Saturday 11th of May between 1 and 2pm calling for an immediate ceasefire, a return of all hostages and for humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza.
Fiona Grahame