Healthcare Professionals Stage Dramatic Protest on Parliament Hill to Denounce Gaza's Healthcare Crisis

Two weeks ago, Israel finally retreated from Al-Shifa Hospital, leaving the largest hospital in Gaza in ruins. At least 400 Palestinians were killed - a number that does not include bodies buried - and 900 wounded during the two-week raid. Witnesses describe many bodies to be found decomposing, crushed, and disfigured to the point they could not be identified. Echoing the statements made by UN experts, we affirm that the targeting of healthcare systems is an act of genocide, with catastrophic consequences in an occupied territory where over 2 million are displaced and being starved.

As of April 6th, WHO announced that only 10 out of 36 hospitals were partially functioning in Gaza, with severe limitations on the types of services they can deliver. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that since October 7th, Israeli forces have blocked the entry of essential medical supplies, fuel and other necessities, targeted ambulances, and killed and kidnapped healthcare staff.

Additionally, the Israeli military has conducted 804 attacks on healthcare in Gaza, and killed at least 484 healthcare workers. Destruction of the healthcare system is not only depriving wounded and suffering Palestinians from accessing care, but also "undermining the prospect of a future Palestinian healthcare system in Gaza, destroying its capacity to rebuild and to care effectively for the Palestinian people in Gaza."

As healthcare professionals, we are uniting to stand up for Gaza to demand an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as:

• An end to the ongoing targeted attacks on healthcare infrastructure and personnel
• An end to the illegal blockade that is preventing the entry of medical supplies, medication, and equipment
• Immediate access to drinkable water and unhindered entry of food and humanitarian aid

WHEN: April 20th, 1PM
WHERE: Parliament Hill, Ottawa

About Canadians for Palestine (C4P): Canadians for Palestine is a grassroots advocacy organization based in Canada. We are dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the rights of the besieged Palestinian peoples of Gaza, and all occupied Palestinian territories.

Canadians for Palestine's Healthcare Workers' coalition comprises over 115 healthcare professionals from various fields united to combat healthcare and human rights violations in Palestine. Among our members are Canadian physicians, including those with firsthand experience in Gaza such as Dr. Yasser, an ophthalmologist and associate professor at McMaster University and University of Toronto, and Dr. Anas, a Canadian trauma surgeon. We engage in a range of initiatives including press conferences, educational webinars, email campaigns, fundraising projects, and more to advocate for healthcare justice.