Caring and resisting in Gaza: the lives of Palestinian healthcare workers
The current ceasefire in Gaza is a crucial first step towards justice. However, there is still a long way to go. That is why we are continuing our commitment through the «Heal and Resist in Gaza» campaign for the coming year, a struggle that healthcare workers and all staff at healthcare facilities have been waging since 7 October 2023. Al-Awda (Viva Salud partners in Gaza).
The destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza: a genocidal strategy
Since the beginning of the genocide in Gaza, the Israeli army has repeatedly demonstrated its determination to destroy the healthcare system. Attacks targeting hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel are not «accidents» but a well-orchestrated strategy. By dismantling medical infrastructure, Israel is condemning more Palestinians to death: the wounded and sick no longer have access to care, and residents are forced to flee to find functioning medical facilities. In addition, the social fabric is severely damaged, with repercussions that will be felt for generations to come.
Resistance in the face of injustice
But where there is injustice, there is also resistance. During the 15 months preceding the ceasefire, the medical staff of our partner AWDA in Gaza remained on site, providing care to the sick and wounded at all costs. Many of them had not seen their families for over a year. Their presence, particularly in the northern Gaza Strip, was essential in maintaining resistance against the Israeli occupation. If the hospitals in the north had closed, Palestinians would have had to leave, allowing Israel to strengthen its occupation of the region.
For enhanced protection of Palestinian healthcare workers
Through the «Heal and Resist in Gaza» campaign, we not only want to pay tribute to the extraordinary resilience of Palestinian healthcare workers. We call on political leaders to take concrete action, in accordance with international law, and contribute to justice for healthcare workers and the entire Palestinian people.
How can you support the campaign?
The Photo Book: Care and Resilience
The photo book ‘Healing and Resisting’ is the result of direct collaboration with the AWDA organisation, from which we have collected photos and testimonies since 7 October 2023. Comprising some fifty photographs, the book immerses readers in the daily lives of their teams who, from north to south of the Gaza Strip, have tirelessly continued to provide care and resist during the genocide.
The book costs €30 and is available for delivery.
All profits will be donated to the work of Viva Salud and our partners.
2024 -, 48p. 28×21 cm, published by EPO
Run for Palestine!
This campaign allows you to create a team to take concrete action for Palestine., by raising funds during the race of your choice.
Run for Palestine offers you complete freedom: choose your race, your distance, your date. The important thing is to run with a charitable goal in mind.
We are proud to have collaborated throughout 2025 with some fifteen Belgian organisations that hosted our exhibition “Healing and Resisting in Gaza”. The various events, often accompanied by dinners, concerts or discussions, generated a great deal of interest! The exhibition proved to be a useful source of information for many of you, who were also able to raise funds for our partners in Palestine!
With 48 photo and explanatory panels, The exhibition is based on the book Soigner et résister (Healing and Resisting) and presents similar content.
HOW TO RENT THE EXHIBITION?
We make the exhibition available to organisations, faculties, and anyone wishing to support and raise awareness of access to healthcare in Gaza:
- The exhibition is free to hire, However, we encourage everyone to make a voluntary contribution and/or to link the exhibition to a fundraising initiative for the benefit of our partners in Palestine. We will be happy to assist and support you in this endeavour.
- It is also possible to contact our policy and campaign officers. to accompany the exhibition for a speech or a short training about our partner AWDA and the right to health in Palestine.
- If you wish to obtain more information and/or hire the exhibition, please contact us at the following address: marilyse@vivasalud.be (The Great War and the Great Depression).
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Monthly donations: your commitment for a lasting impact
By becoming a monthly donor, you are investing in real and lasting change in Palestine, as well as in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Philippines.
Three reasons to join us:
Thanks to your regular contributions, we fund medical care, training and health infrastructure that are transforming the lives of thousands of people in a sustainable way. Our local partnerships ensure that every euro goes directly to meeting the needs of communities. And because transparency matters, you will receive regular, detailed updates on the impact of your support.
A simple commitment, tangible results.
Participate in protests
L‘iIndignation and collective engagement are powerful ways to respond to violations of conventions, political inaction, injustice and impunity.
This solidarity has fuelled our determination. With the arrival of the new government, we will continue, together with civil society organisations and healthcare workers, to ensure that our demands – based on international law – are heard and implemented.
The movement is gaining momentum, and in 2025, we will continue to fight for change and respect for human rights. Stay informed:
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