Submission of NGO Monitor to the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health

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On October 7, 2023, thousands of Palestinian terrorists breached the border from Gaza invading Israel, massacring 1200 people, torturing and maiming thousands, including 36 children who were slaughtered in their homes. Several of them were horrifically burned alive, while others were brutally murdered in the presence of their parents, or forced to witness their parents being killed before they were murdered as well. Hamas, and other terrorist groups, also kidnapped more than 200 individuals, of which 30 were children, including a 9-month old baby.

One aspect of the attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023 was the assault on medical personnel and facilities. Since the escalation of hostilities on October 7, numerous medical personnel, including several ambulance team members, were targeted, injured, and/or killed by Palestinian combatants. In addition, health care facilities were also targeted. During the October 7 massacre, Palestinian terrorists fired at Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulances, attempting to disable the ambulances and prevent the paramedics from providing medical assistance. On October 31, MDA reported that nine ambulances had been disabled due to the attacks by Hamas. Additionally, a medical helicopter transporting three critically wounded patients was hit by debris from incoming rocket fire.

Hamas also targeted medical professionals, preventing them from reaching the wounded, and also killed those who were attempting to provide care. According to Magen David Adom, “paramedics’ bodies were found with their medical gloves still on, murdered by Hamas in the midst of treating the wounded. Our ambulance drivers were executed in cold blood white sitting in the drivers’ seats.” According to MDA, three workers and volunteers were murdered.

For example, a senior EMT ambulance driver for MDA was murdered on his way to treat wounded while inside a MDA emergency vehicle. A paramedic was killed while treating wounded at the Supernova music festival. His ambulance was then stolen and driven into the Gaza Strip. A paramedic with United Hatzalah was driving to his shift at Barzilai Medical Center when he noticed a man who appeared to be wounded. As he  stopped to help, the injured man, who was in reality a Hamas terrorist, shot the paramedic and pinned him to a pole, holding him hostage for hours. Several people that were hiding in an abandoned ambulance were killed when it was bombed by Hamas gunmen at the music festival.