The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged the international community to take immediate action in response to the dire situation in Gaza, where the Israeli blockade threatens to result in heinous crimes, including genocide. Türk has reminded that States have the obligation to prevent such crimes under the Geneva Conventions and has pointed out that Israeli government policies could lead to the disappearance of the Palestinian population in northern Gaza. Additionally, he emphasized the duty of States, established by the Genocide Convention, to intervene when the risk becomes evident.
The situation in Gaza is further complicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) losing contact with the staff at Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia, which was raided by Israeli forces. Around 200 patients and hundreds of refugees were at the hospital. Before the assault, the WHO managed to urgently transfer some patients to Al-Shifa hospital. According to the director of WHO in Gaza, Kamal Adwan is in total chaos, with thousands of civilians, especially women and children, fleeing desperately.
UNICEF has denounced the critical situation of children in Gaza. Since the closure of the Rafah border crossing in May, only 127 children have managed to leave the region for medical care. James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson, warned that at the current evacuation rate, it would take over seven years to attend to the 2500 children in urgent need, highlighting that they are victims not only of bombings but also of a system that denies them vital medical care.
Meanwhile, the situation worsens at the borders. Israel has bombed the border crossings of Jussieh and Masnaa, on the border with Syria, where thousands are fleeing the war. These attacks have affected areas near immigration offices and UNHCR reception centers designed to provide shelter to the displaced. So far, over 430,000 people have left Lebanon seeking safety.
In the field of mental health, a report by special rapporteur Olivier De Schutter highlights a growing crisis, exacerbated by an obsession with economic growth. The poor are up to three times more likely to suffer from mental disorders than the more affluent. Precarious employment and adverse working conditions further exacerbate this crisis, even affecting qualified professionals due to constant pressure to be productive.
These challenges underscore the urgent need for an international response to address the suffering in Gaza and combat inequality, as well as the devastating effects on the mental health of vulnerable communities worldwide.
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