Medicide in the Gaza Strip: A one-year anatomy of systematic attacks on healthcare services

Authors : Melih Çamcı, Ömer Faruk Turan, Muhammed Fatih Baran, Muhammed Şafi Alpaslan, Şeyma Yüsra Soğanda

Pages : 211-220

Doi:10.21673/anadoluklin.1624118

View : 105 | Download : 75

Publication Date : 2025-05-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study critically examines the systematic targeting of healthcare services in the Gaza Strip, positioning these attacks as a deliberate form of medicide. This concept, defined as the intentional destruction of healthcare systems in conflict zones, highlights violations of international humanitarian law and underscores the broader implications for global health security and human rights. Methods: Employing an observational-descriptive retrospective design, the study utilized data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international reports. Advanced correlation and regression analyses were conducted to identify the relationships between attack frequency, infrastructure damage, mortality, and disruptions in emergency medical services. Temporal trends and attack patterns were further analyzed to assess the cumulative impact on healthcare systems. Results: The findings reveal that over a one-year period, healthcare facilities, ambulances, and personnel in the Gaza Strip were subjected to systematic assaults, resulting in extensive infrastructure damage and significant loss of life. A sharp escalation in attacks was observed in the first six months, coinciding with increased mortality rates and service disruption. Strong statistical correlations confirm the profound impact of these attacks on the functionality and sustainability of healthcare systems, exacerbating the region’s humanitarian crisis. Conclusion: This study identifies medicide as a systematic strategy to dismantle essential healthcare infrastructure, with devastating consequences for vulnerable populations. It calls for urgent international action to reinforce legal frameworks, enhance protective mechanisms, and prioritize the resilience of healthcare systems in conflict settings. By advancing the discourse on the intersection of healthcare, conflict, and international law, this study provides a critical foundation for future policy and advocacy efforts.
Keywords : Acil sağlık servisleri, cankurtaranlar, Gazze şeridi, sağlık çalışanları, sağlık hizmetlerine ulaşılabilirlik, sağlık kaynakları

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL