‘Whilst the ink was still drying on their birth certificates’ – PalMed Europe and ICJP call for accountability for the killing of colleague Dr Joumana Arafa and her four-day-old baby twins
London, 23rd August 2024 – PalMed Europe and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) are appalled and at loss for words following the murder of PalMed-sponsored doctor Joumana Arafa and her four-day-old baby twins. We call on the International Criminal Court and third states to take the appropriate measures and hold Israel accountable for its systemised targeting of healthcare workers and the health infrastructure in Gaza, and its continued targeting of protected Palestinians.
Only four days after Dr Joumana gave birth, whilst her husband Mohammed was out obtaining official birth certificates for the newly born twins, an airstrike killed Dr Joumana, both new-born babies and Mohammed’s mother in their flat in Deir al-Balah; which is supposedly a ‘safe zone’, proving once again that there are no ‘safe zones’ in Gaza. Now, ICJP and PalMed are calling for immediate accountability for these unlawful killings.
PalMed Europe is a medical association uniting over a thousand healthcare professionals across eight countries who are dedicated to improving medical conditions in Palestine. The association promotes health in Palestine by supporting medical education and training, sending medical missions, and aiding the development and sustainability of medical services. It operates primarily through the voluntary efforts of its members. Dr Joumana Arafa was a PalMed-sponsored primary healthcare provider at a medical point in Khan Yunis in Gaza before stopping for maternity leave.
Israel’s killing of Dr Joumana is part of its widespread and systematic targeting of civilians, and of medical infrastructure and medical personnel, a campaign that aims to destroy Gaza’s healthcare system. These persistent violations of international law must not go unchallenged, and justice must be served to Mohammed and to the innumerate families of medical personnel murdered by Israel.
The Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) and its First Additional Protocol are clear on the necessity of protecting civilians and medical personnel – it is a cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Third States have an obligation to provide effective penal sanctions and ‘bring such persons, regardless of their nationality, before its own courts.’ These violations have also been incorporated into the Rome Statute to the International Criminal Court, which has jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine. We call on the Office of the Prosecutor to take necessary measures in investigating and holding perpetrators for this heinous crime accountable.
According to the World Health Organization, by June 2024, Israel had killed 727 people in attacks on health care targets, and has also arbitrarily detained hundreds of healthcare workers, and subjected them to the torture and or degrading treatment while in captivity – all crimes under IHL and International Criminal law.
The situation in Gaza is beyond what any words can describe, the suffering of civilians has reached new lows every single day, yet the crippled medical sector and the brave healthcare workers have done their best to provide desperately needed medical services. It is imperative that they are protected.
PalMed Europe President Dr Riyad Almasharqah said:
“Like the hundreds of medical staff killed by Israel since October 2023, Dr Joumana’s protected status under international law should have spared her life. However, Israel did not just kill her, Israel killed her new-born babies who have seen nothing of this world, whilst the ink was still drying on their birth certificates.
Social media is littered with clips of Israeli soldiers intentionally destroying expensive and crucial medical equipment and supplies, not to mention the countless testimonies of many medical professionals who were tortured in Israeli detention camps. It can only be described as systematic targeting.
The international community must urgently take action to protect healthcare workers and restore the health infrastructure of Gaza; but also to hold accountable the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Mohammed has lost everything: his wife, his new-born twins, his mother. All that can be salvaged is a shred of justice and only accountability for the perpetrators can achieve that.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.
- Under International Humanitarian Law (GCI Art. 24, GCII Art. 36, GCIV Art. 20, API Art. 15, and APII Art. 9), medical professionals must be respected and protected at all times, in all circumstances.
- For more information, to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, or to view a full copy of the letter, please contact the ICJP news desk at [email protected].