Possibly for the first time, a major Israeli institution, the Israel Medical Association (IMA), broke its silence and called upon Israel’s top defense officials to ensure “basic humanitarian conditions,” citing both “morality” and “basic humanitarian law” as being at issue. In the last 48 hours, IMA chairman Professor Zion Hagay sent letters this week, according to the Times of Israel, to top defense officials to call for “ensuring medical equipment and basic humanitarian conditions” for the Gaza Strip’s civilian population. Three individuals were named as his targets: IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir; the head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Rasan Alian; and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
In an interview with the Hebrew news outlet Ynet, Hagay said that the IMA is receiving an increase in inquiries from the World Medical Association about recent events in Gaza. It is known that the British Medical Association had recently suspended ties with the IMA over their previous silence.
Hagay told Ynet: “In Europe, they are seeing much more than what is being reported in the Israeli media—images of destruction and casualties. We’re asking for clarification so that we can respond responsibly and accurately…. We know nothing. We have no data.” His letter stated: “We would like to emphasize the need to ensure medical equipment and basic humanitarian conditions for the civilian population in Gaza. This is required both by medical ethics and morality and by international humanitarian law.” He referenced the report by the Gaza health ministry that, on July 20, another 73 people were killed while waiting for humanitarian aid on Sunday, and added: “If this is accurate, it represents a serious violation of medical ethics and international law.”
