Shanzay Waseem

Critical Analysis Of Human Rights Violation In Israel-Palestine Conflict

Introduction

Israel-Palestine conflict dates back to the early twentieth century with the collapse of Ottoman rule and the imposition of British colonial authority over Palestine. Competing nationalist movements, reinforced by the Balfour Declaration and large-scale Jewish immigration, turned political claims into open confrontation. The establishment of Israel in 1948 and the displacement of Palestinians entrenched a conflict marked by wars, occupation, and failed peace initiatives. From the 1967 occupation of Palestinian territories to recurring cycles of violence in Gaza and the West Bank, has been marked by ongoing cycles of violence, illegal occupation, and forced displacement.

According to international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the Geneva Conventions, all civilians are entitled to the rights to life, liberty, security, and protection from cruel treatment. Various reports show that Israel has systematically violated human rights in Palestine, especially in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank.

These violations include denying people basic necessities like water, food, shelter, and medical care. Israel has also used force that is both indiscriminate and disproportionate, causing many civilian deaths, displacement, and destruction of civilian buildings. Even though international law clearly states that targeting civilians is a crime against humanity and can amount to war crimes, the WHO Health Cluster has recorded 825 attacks on healthcare facilities since October 2023. These attacks have resulted in 985 deaths and about 2,000 injuries. (Ali 2025)

The aim of this paper is to critically analyse the Israel-Palestine conflict through the specific lens of human rights violation committed against the healthcare sector. The scope of this paper is confined to violations affecting the healthcare sector within the Israel–Palestine conflict, with particular emphasis on attacks on hospitals, obstruction of medical services, targeting and killing of healthcare professionals, and the long-term degradation of public health systems. The analysis draws upon documented incidents reported by international organisations, medical associations, humanitarian agencies, and credible investigative journalism such as the sources of Al-jazeera.

Attack On Hospitals Under International Law

According to international humanitarian law, hospitals lose their protection if they are used for acts considered "harmful to the enemy."

This generally refers to the use of healthcare facilities for military purposes. In such cases, healthcare facilities can be targeted after a warning and once enough time has been given for the evacuation of patients and staff. (Attacks on hospitals: current legal protections are insufficient 2023)

However, in the case of Gaza, this rule does not apply.Israel has repeatedly attacked the Al-Shifa medical complex since October 2023. It is clear that Israel has committed a war crime by preventing injured people from receiving medical treatment. These individuals include civilians, including women and children, not any terrorists, which is what Israel claims to be targeting.

Al-Shifa Medical Complex

The Al-Shifa medical complex was once the largest healthcare facility in Palestine.

However, after repeated attacks by Israel, it has turned into an empty shell with human graves, as described by WHO Director-General TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus. The facility was invaded twice, first in November 2023 and again in March 2024.The constant attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza represent a systemic destruction of the healthcare system, which is part of a genocidal pattern.

This pattern starts with an initial airstrike, followed by ground troop sieges that prevent access, then raids using heavy machinery like tanks and bulldozers, mass detentions of medical staff and patients, forced evacuations, and finally a withdrawal, leaving the facility non-functional. (Ali 2025)

On November 12, 2023, Israeli forces surrounded and cut off access to Al-Shifa medical complex. About 600 patients were inside the hospital at that time, including premature babies and dialysis patients. Hospital administrators reported that between November 11 and 17, 40 patients at Al-Shifa died, mainly due to power cuts. Israeli forces raided and occupied the hospital again on November 15, 2023, interrogated patients and staff, and ordered them to leave the hospital entirely. Premature babies, maternity patients, and patients on dialysis and ventilators were present at that time. (Gaza: Israeli military war crimes while occupying hospitals 2025)

Israel’s Stance On The Attack On Hospitals And Its Perspective

Israeli military commanders’ spokespersons told media outlets that they had received information about senior Hamas commanders operating from Al-Shifa hospital. They released images of two individuals entering the hospital premises, whom they described as people from Hamas firing on Israeli troops.This gave them a reason to defend themselves and attack Al-shifahospital.Israel has a military doctrine named dahiya military doctrine which strategizes on Israel using a realistic lens and attacking the civilian infra-structure in times of war to ensure that the civilians of the nation would turn against the militants,pressuring them to make peace.

 This doctrine was outlined by former IDF (ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE) chief of staff GadiEizenkot and implemented in Lebanon's Dahiyaneighbourhood to counter Hezbollah's influence in the region and justified its actions by stating that the neighbourhood was filled with Hezbollah's military presence which Israel destroyed as it was a threat to them. Israel justifies its claim over attacking Hamas in Gaza through this doctrine as Hamas on 7 Oct,2023 conducted a surprise attack on Israel killing 1400 Israeli civilians according to statistics reported and violated international humanitarian law.

Israel's primary focus is its security and self-defense against the violations and atrocities conducted by Hamas and therefore Israel uses full-force to destroy Hamas leadership and its organization  embedded in Gaza. International law  does not explicitly prohibit the use of force to eliminate an organization such as Hamas, because it  is considered a terrorist organization by Israel ,US and other states.Another paramount objective for Israel was the release or rescue of the hostages Hamas took from the Israeli territory which made Israel's military strategy for confronting Hamas strictly under a realist lens of view which emphasizes state security and survival supreme over morality and ethics.However this paper has included Israel's stance for the sole purpose of objectification and solely aims in exploring Israel's human rights violation in Palestine over healthcare sector.

Kamal Adwan Hospital

Human rights violations can also be seen in the Kamal Adwan hospital.

It was surrounded on December 11, 2024, and raided on December 12, 2024, leaving 65 patients, including 18 children, and 3,000 displaced people "trapped" with severe shortages of water, food, and power, according to OCHA. By December 17, at least eight patients had died, including a 9-year-old child, as reported by WHO’s director-general. The Israeli military ended operations in the area on December 16. On December 27, Israeli forces raided Kamal Adwan hospital again and burned and severely damaged the laboratory, surgical unit, and various departments, as reported by WHO.

 The Israeli military claimed that the hospital was being used for military purposes, including the detention of an Israeli soldier, and that they found weapons, "technological equipment," and "Hamas intelligence documents." However, hospital staff said the weapons belonged to hospital security guards, which is permissible under international humanitarian law, and were being handed over to Israeli forces under orders. "There were no armed men at all in the hospital, and no fighting occurred inside," which only shows how Israel justifies its actions as a "justifiable act of self-defense." (Gaza: Israeli military war crimes while occupying hospitals 2025)

Thousands of displaced people find shelter in hospitals, such as the Nasser medical complex in Khan Younis, where 10,000 displaced people were taking shelter.However, on January 21, 2024, they were given an ultimatum to evacuate the hospital. Soon after, they started returning as reported by doctors and hospital staff, who claimed they were shot on the streets or injured in Israeli attacks. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics are protected individuals under international humanitarian law and are entitled to perform their duties without interference.

 However, interviews with healthcare workers in Gaza reveal the inhumane treatment of these professionals by the Israeli military, who have been injured, killed, or detained during military operations. Fear, exhaustion, and the lack of resources have seriously impacted their ability to provide care. Targeting or obstructing medical personnel not only violates international law but also undermines the neutrality of healthcare, making medical workers targets instead of protected individuals. The World Medical Association has publicly called for transparency regarding the charges and treatment of detained doctors, including senior hospital directors, whose absence further weakens an already strained health system. The detention and disappearance of key figures weaken the leadership of medical institutions at a time when ensuring continuous care and maintaining the strength of organizations is crucial.

There are many instances where Israel has intentionally targeted healthcare workers, and one specific example is Dr. Hussam Abu Safia. Dr. Abu Safia served as the medical director of Al-Shifa hospital and was the head of the trauma care unit, working tirelessly day and night to help patients recover. Since Israel did not allow international journalists to enter the Gaza Strip, or if they did, they were not permitted to access hospitals, doctors and healthcare workers had to give interviews to share the disturbing stories of the crimes committed by Israel, which include extreme cruelty and patterns of genocide. Dr. Abu Safia was vocal in discussing these crimes to media outlets, and in response, Israel illegally detained him while he was working at Kamal Adwan hospital on 27 December 2024, and he has been held in Israeli military custody since then.

Conclusion

The ongoing harm inflicted on hospitals and healthcare workers in the Israel-Palestine conflict is a serious violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

These violations cannot be ignored as accidental or isolated events; they represent recurring patterns of warfare that devalue the lives of civilians and undermine the principle of medical neutrality. By attacking the institutions that save lives, such actions extend violence beyond the battlefield, affecting the very fabric of daily survival. Protecting healthcare during conflict is not just a legal duty but a moral responsibility.

The failure to protect healthcare in Palestine highlights a larger problem in the enforcement of international standards. Without real accountability, the promise of human rights remains vulnerable, and hospitals, which are meant to offer care and safety, risk becoming lasting victims of war.

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