Policies implemented in the Gaza Strip and the trajectory observed in the occupied West Bank indicate a broader Israeli project of colonisation of Palestine through occupation. These policies, affecting daily life and governance in both territories, are viewed as foundational to the ongoing Israeli presence. The consistent application of these measures across distinct Palestinian areas shows a unified strategic intent, pointing to a deliberate strategy of control and territorial transformation. The impact of these policies extends to every facet of Palestinian existence, from economic stability to social structures, and most critically, to public health.
Escalating Violence and Displacement
It’s been more than 1,000 days since Israel’s genocide in Gaza began. This prolonged period of conflict has had devastating consequences for the civilian population. June marked the deadliest month since the ceasefire was announced in October, noting a persistent pattern of violence despite international calls for de-escalation. As of July 18, Israel has killed 1,144 Palestinians and injured 3,703 since the truce was announced. The human cost of the ongoing military operations is staggering, with the death toll since the start of the war having surpassed 73,200. These figures represent not just casualties but also a profound disruption to communities, families, and the social fabric of Gaza.
Israel is expanding military control of the Gaza Strip, with its “Yellow Line” boundary continuing to shift westwards constantly. This territorial encroachment is a critical aspect of the ongoing occupation. The movement of the “Yellow Line” compresses more than two million people into just one-third of the Strip, creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis within an ever-shrinking living space. This forced concentration of a large population into a confined area exacerbates existing challenges related to resources, infrastructure, and public health. The West Bank has also undergone a profound violent transformation since October 7, 2023, with increased military operations, settler violence, and restrictions on movement further destabilizing the lives of Palestinians. The combination of these pressures in both Gaza and the West Bank paints a grim picture of escalating humanitarian need and systematic displacement.
Systematic Obstruction of Healthcare
Israel has continued to systematically obstruct access to healthcare in the West Bank and deliberately dismantled the healthcare system in Gaza. This obstruction has led to significant health consequences in clinics, including increases in respiratory infections, skin diseases, and diarrhoeal illnesses. These conditions are directly driven by a lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation, and inhumane living conditions imposed upon the Palestinian population. The deliberate targeting and degradation of health infrastructure in Gaza, coupled with severe restrictions on medical supplies and personnel, have crippled the ability of healthcare providers to respond effectively to the overwhelming needs. In the West Bank, checkpoints, movement restrictions, and military incursions routinely prevent patients from reaching hospitals and clinics, and healthcare workers from performing their duties.
The challenges faced by medical professionals are exemplified by incidents such as the raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital. On October 26, 2024, during a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, Dr. Mohammed Obeid, a surgeon working for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), was arrested along with 57 other individuals. Dr. Obeid remains in an Israeli prison without charge, a situation that shows the precarious position of medical workers operating in the occupied territories. The detention of healthcare professionals not only deprives communities of vital medical expertise but also sends a chilling message to others providing aid. More than 95 Palestinian healthcare workers are currently detained by Israeli forces, further depleting an already strained medical workforce and severely impeding the delivery of essential health services. These detentions are part of a broader pattern of suppressing the healthcare system, making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to receive timely and adequate medical care. The cumulative effect of these actions is a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, particularly in Gaza, where hospitals have been severely damaged or rendered inoperable.
The Colonisation Project's Health Impact
The Israeli government, military, and state-sponsored settlers have accelerated practices described as ethnic cleansing, land theft, dispossession, territorial fragmentation, and economic strangulation in the West Bank. These actions contribute to the broader impact of the colonisation project on Palestinian well-being. The systematic nature of these policies affects the health infrastructure and general living conditions across the territory. Dispossession and fragmentation limit access to essential services, including healthcare facilities and personnel. The ongoing expansion of settlements and the construction of barriers further isolate communities, making it nearly impossible for many to reach medical care or even basic necessities.
Economic strangulation further exacerbates health outcomes by restricting livelihoods and the ability to secure basic necessities, leading to increased poverty and food insecurity. The severe limitations on economic activity, including restrictions on trade, movement of goods, and access to agricultural land, have a direct impact on the nutritional status and overall health of the population. These combined pressures create an environment where the determinants of health are severely compromised for the Palestinian population in the West Bank. The ongoing expansion of these activities continues to reshape the daily lives and long-term prospects for residents, creating a cycle of deteriorating health and increased vulnerability. The cumulative effect of these policies is a profound and lasting health crisis that impacts every aspect of Palestinian life, from physical and mental health to the long-term development of communities.
