NGOs report a 25% increase in attacks on health care in war zones last year

According to a group of non-governmental organizations, attacks on medical personnel and health facilities in war zones reached their highest level in 2023 since records began 11 years ago. The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition, made up of 40 organizations including medical charities, reported 2,562 incidents of violence or obstructions in 30 conflicts around the world, with nearly half of them attributed to state forces. This represents a 25% increase compared to the previous year.

Unlike the World Health Organization, which also documents attacks on healthcare, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition assigns responsibility for these incidents. They called for governments to take more assertive action to end violence against healthcare workers, including halting arms transfers to perpetrators and holding them accountable in court. The coalition ensures accuracy in its data by cross-checking open-source information and partner contributions to avoid double counting.

The group identified 489 incidents in Gaza in 2023 that were attributed to Israeli forces, including deaths or injuries of medical personnel and attacks on hospitals. Responsibility was not established in seven other cases, including the deaths of six Israeli military medics and the bombing of Al-Ahli Hospital on Oct. 17, 2023. Israel claims that hospitals in Gaza are used as bases by Hamas militants, and their military actions were in response to deadly cross-border attacks by Hamas. Members of the coalition are advocating for an end to violence against healthcare workers and facilities in conflict zones.