Photo by Diana khwaelid on Unsplash
A delegation of doctors, surgeons, paramedics and activists have told of the horrors they experienced working in Gaza.
They were speaking in the European Parliament earlier this week.
MEPs welcomed a group of medical professionals who have been on hunger strike since 31 March in protest against a medical blockade.
The medical professionals, many of whom have returned from working in Gaza in recent months, reported on what they called the horrific conditions in the strip.
The decision to go on hunger strike was led by French emergency doctor Pascal André, who told MEPs about his experience.
Other doctors present, who had also worked in Gaza, reported simply: it was hell.
Speaking at the discussion, MEP Rima Hassan (La France Insoumise, France) said, “We owe a debt of gratitude to these doctors for their bravery working in Gaza and continuing the fight. We need to accelerate action but we cannot do it alone. The Left has led this charge in the European Parliament, but we also need our allies in other political groups to get behind us.”
MEP Carola Rackete (Die Linke, Germany) said “Hunger strike has always been a last resort and in the case of Gaza it is more than justified. The pleas of Palestinians for medication and food have been ignored.”
MEP Marc Botenga (PTB/PVDA, Belgium) said: “This issue goes far beyond the failure of European countries. These brave doctors show an alternative path.”
As of 8 April, over 52,000 people – 50,810 Palestinian and 1,706 Israeli – have been reported killed in the Gaza war according to the official figures.
