MEDICAL STAFF SHARE REALITIES FROM THE FIELD IN GAZA

The conversation formed part of a solidarity visit to the Holy Land held online on 7-8 August, a visit that serves as an opportunity to accompany member churches and ecumenical partners, listen to their voices and perspectives, amplify their calls, and remind the world of what is needed to bring about peace in the region. 

Fr Silas Habeb, from Gaza’s Saint Porphyrius Church, thanked the delegation for listening to the experiences of people on the ground in Gaza. 

“The support you are offering is enabling people to continue standing, and to feel differently, that people are still caring about us,” he said. "Continue praying for us, and enable us to live with dignity in such a difficult situation.”

Health consultant Dr Bassam Abu Hamad was among several medical doctors who spoke about how they are caring for people, largely through mobile health units in Gaza operated by the Middle East Council of Churches Department of Services to Palestinian Refugees. 

The needs are vast: more than 400,000 people with chronic disease left untreated in Gaza, grave war injuries, medical personnel who are displaced themselves, and deep psychological scars.

“The war has no rules. There is no respect for human rights, and there is indiscriminate killing,” said Hamad. “But we are Palestinian, so we don’t ever give up.”

He estimated that 70 percent of health facilities in Gaza have been demolished, and now most patient services are provide via mobile clinics or by doctors who travel via donkey or on foot. “We need to reach the people who cannot reach us.” he said. “The only certain thing in Gaza—is uncertainty.”

Deep respect

WCC moderator Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm said he found the discussion deeply touching. “I have a deep respect for what you are doing,” he said to the doctors. “It’s unbelievable.”

Bedford-Strohm also stressed the urgency of sharing their stories. “I think people are beginning to understand the massiveness of the injustice,” he said. “Religion needs action—and I promise you, we will continue to hear your voices. This was very important.”

WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay expressed deep appreciation fro the presence of the doctors and other caregivers on the ground in Gaza. “The Christian witness is visible with the care and support you have been giving on the ground,” he said. “i am pleased to know that you are doing medical support but also psycho-social services because one of the things that is worrying me immensely is the psychological damage and scars that are created.”

Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance general secretary, expressed deep distress about the worsening conditions the war has brought to those with medical needs and the doctors treating them. ”In our digital solidarity visit to the Holy Land, we met with medical doctors and residents of Gaza,” he said. “We are deeply distressed by their hardships and stand in solidarity with them. We are particularly concerned with their limited access to essential medical services and medicines, the environmental degradation, and the emergence of new diseases. We urgently call for a ceasefire, humanitarian access, and justice for Gaza.”

Alistair Dutton, secretary general of Caritas Internationalis, said he was appalled at the complete disregard for human life. “The level of human suffering is incredible: people are on the point of starvation; there is no water, electricity, drainage or sewage; health care has collapsed with direct hits on hospitals and clinics, and the absence of even the most basic medical supplies,” he said. “The border remains closed and people are actively deprived of the humanitarian assistance they so desperately need.”

Dr Audeh Quawas, member of the WCC central committee and executive committee, said the doctors who are helping people stay standing—both physically and psychologically—in Gaza are heroes.

“We have been and will continue to support you,” he said. “We can coordinate in the future even more between all the churches, and bring our Christian witness into Gaza.”

The pastoral solidarity visit to the Holy Land takes place online on 7-8 August 2024. The delegation includes Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the World Council of Churches; Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the WCC; Dr Audeh Quawas, member of the WCC central committee and executive committee; Dr Michel Abs, general secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches; Erik Lysén, moderator of the ACT Alliance; Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, general secretary of the ACT Alliance; Alistair Dutton, Caritas Internationalis secretary general.