During the past 2 weeks, the Lancet has been contacted by many doctors concerned at the desperate events unfolding in the Gaza Strip. All deplore all violence directed at civilians. But, in this politically inflammatory setting, the overwhelming sense we detect among our correspondents is that the violence launched on Gaza is taking an unjustifiable toll on civilian populations.
So far, several mobile clinics and ambulances have been damaged by Israeli attacks. At least six medical personnel have been killed. The proximity of battle has closed Ministry of Health clinics and hospitals. International law requires that all medical staff and facilities be protected at all times, even during armed conflict. Attacks on staff or facilities are serious violations of these laws.
Referring to Israel, the Editorial says: "We find it hard to believe that an otherwise internationally respected, democratic nation can sanction such large and indiscriminate human atrocities in a territory already under land and sea blockade. The heavy loss of civilian life and destruction of Gaza's health system is unjustified and disproportional, despite rocket attacks by Hamas. The collective punishment of Gazans is placing horrific and immediate burdens of injury and trauma on innocent civilians. These actions contravene the fourth Geneva Convention."
It concludes: "We are disappointed by the silence of national medical associations and professional bodies worldwide in response to this destruction and dislocation of health services. Their leaders, through their inaction, are complicit in a preventable tragedy that may have longlasting public-health consequences not only for Gaza, but also for the entire region."
For Editorial, Comment, Special Report, and Correspondence signed by 700 students, see: http://press.thelancet.com/gazamaterial.pdf
For reportage from an aid worker in Gaza, follow the links on www.thelancet.com
PLEASE NOTE: The charts on P201 of the Gaza special report have the figures for women/children killed and injured the wrong way round.
Chart A represents the numbers of women/children killed, while chart B represents the numbers of women/children injured.
In table A the chart line for total Children killed goes from 101 (Jan 4), to 117 (Jan 5), then back down to 101 Jan 7)even thought the numbers are increasing
The correct figure for Jan 7 is: 172
Also, there was no data available for Jan 6, hence there being no point on that day.
Journal
The Lancet