This carte blanche was published on 29 February 2024, within the MO
#FreeAhmedMuhanna: Belgian organisations are calling for the immediate release of Ahmed Muhanna, director of Al Awda hospital, and the 7 other hostages held at Al Awda hospital in Gaza.
After 13 days of siege, on Sunday 17 December, the Israeli army invaded the hospital Al Awda in Jabalia, in northern Gaza. At the time, the hospital was one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza. Following the interrogation of all those present, the director of the hospital, Dr Ahmed Muhanna, was arrested and taken by the Israeli army to an unknown location. The following day, five other members of staff, a patient and a visitor were also arrested. To date, the Israeli authorities have not communicated any charges or indictments justifying the arrest. This allows us to speak of the kidnapping and hostage-taking of Dr Muhanna and the other detainees. Meanwhile, sources indicate that they are being held in Naqab prison, in the middle of the Palestinian desert.
Imprisoned for not wanting to abandon his patients
The Al Awda hospital in Jabalia is part of the Palestinian health organisation AWDA, a major health institution in the Gaza Strip, and a loyal partner of the Belgian NGO Viva Salud and Belgian development cooperation. Médecins Sans Frontières has also worked with the hospital for many years and has repeatedly expressed its concern at the attacks on it. AWDA runs two hospitals and six medical centres throughout the Gaza Strip. Since 7 October, AWDA staff have continued to work tirelessly. The staff ignored orders from the Israeli army to leave the hospital and evacuate to the south, as they did not want to abandon patients who could not be transported. For several weeks, the’Al Awda hospital is also the only remaining hospital in the north of Gaza City where women can give birth. The hospital had already fallen victim to Israeli bombardments, resulting in the deaths of three doctors.
Attacks on medical staff and medical facilities are a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.
Dr Ahmed Muhanna is an internationally recognised voice denouncing the Israeli attacks on the health system in Gaza. In the weeks leading up to his abduction, he repeatedly described in detail the horrific situation at the hospital. In his last audio message, a day before he was taken away by Israeli soldiers, he declared: « No one can get to hospital because of [Israeli] snipers. The situation at the hospital is terrible. We have 38 patients, some of whom can't get any medication. We have no oxygen and very little fuel for a small generator. We have barely enough food for 2 or 3 days. The situation is critical.«
Violation of international humanitarian law
Attacking medical personnel and facilities is a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.. Furthermore, the siege of the Al Awda hospital and the abduction of medical staff, patients and their families are totally unfounded and morally reprehensible. Palestinian hospitals, health centres, health workers and patients are not collateral damage as the Israeli occupying forces try to portray them. The determination to destroy them is part of the strategy to erase all traces of a social security network for Palestinians, making it impossible for them to return home. The WHO recently warned that the combination of famine and disease will cause more victims than Israeli bombs.. At that point, a functional healthcare system will be crucial.
Viva Salud, together with other signatories, demands the immediate release of Dr Ahmed Muhanna and the seven other hostages from the Al Awda hospital. We call on the Belgian government to take concrete steps to immediately release all those held captive, particularly the carers, who should never be targeted. We also call on the Belgian government to take effective sanctions against Israel, to put in place concrete measures to actively support the ICJ investigation, to ensure that the Court's decisions are implemented, and to do its utmost to achieve an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
11.11.11, ABP, Belgian Academics and Artist for Palestine (BA4P), Broederlijk Delen, CNCD, De-Coloniser, Mutual Aid & Fraternity, FOS, Incorporate Globalise Solidarity, Medicine for the people, Memisa, Palestine Solidarity, Pax Christi Flanders, SB OverSeas, Goldenrod, Solsoc, Viva Salud, Vrede vzw, WSM
Sign the petition!
Put pressure on the Belgian government to demand the immediate release of health workers in Gaza, who should never be targeted.
Put an end to Israel's intolerable impunity, which is completely destroying the Palestinian health system.
Call for effective EU sanctions against Israel for its genocide in Palestine #Palestine
