Dear [Elected Official’s Name],
I am writing to you as two hospitals in Gaza face imminent closures as a direct result of Israel’s blockade on fuel and medical supplies, pushing the region’s healthcare system into further collapse. 31 of 36 hospitals in Gaza have been destroyed or partially damaged by Israel’s attacks in the past 11 months, with those remaining only able to operate in a severely limited capacity.
On September 9, both the Indonesian and Kamal Adwan hospitals in northern Gaza issued grave warnings that they will be forced to shut down within days due to critical shortages of fuel and medical supplies.
Kamal Adwan Hospital has announced that it will be out of service within 48 hours unless essential resources are allowed to enter Gaza. The deliberate blockade of these supplies is putting the lives of the entire population at risk, especially those requiring emergency surgeries and life-supporting treatments.
Marwan Sultan, director of the Indonesian hospital, has reported that their intensive care unit is operating at full capacity, with 10 patients dependent on ventilators. The hospital’s operating rooms have been running non-stop to cope with the overwhelming number of civilians injured in the ongoing violence. However, without fuel, the hospital will be forced to suspend all medical services.
As Israel’s military campaign continues to kill, displace, and devastate Palestinian communities, the blockade ensures that those who survive are left to face the collapse of healthcare and certain death from preventable causes and starvation.
It is important to stress that Israel occupies Gaza in violation of international law due to its blockade, control of airspace, waters, borders and movement of people and goods. Israel, therefore, has the power and responsibility to ensure the passage of essential aid, fuel and food. Our government has a legal and moral obligation to take action.
Words of condemnation achieve nothing, we must sanction Israel. An arms embargo and a two-way trade embargo must be enforced until Israel ceases its illegal occupation, blockade and other human rights violations; this will also add pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza. Recognising the State of Palestine and supporting the prosecution of all perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity is essential.
I look forward to your commitment to upholding international law through these actions.
Your constituent,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]