Juan Alguacil
Physician and Professor of Public Health at the University of Huelva
Beyond its significant scientific value, the study takes on special relevance in the current context of allegations of genocide. The Israeli army appears to have targeted the health system itself as a recurring objective in Gaza, based on the hundreds of documented attacks on health facilities, ambulances and personnel (which have resulted in the deaths of more than 1,500 Palestinian health workers), which, in addition to drastically reducing Gaza's clinical care capacity, have been responsible for the destruction of both printed and digital records that could be used as evidence of the massacre.
This study provides data to give an idea of the magnitude and type of injuries that the civilian population continues to suffer (let us not forget) in the face of the inaction of the civilised international community.
Although the methodological limitations are evident, in such a violent war scenario, which shows no respect for the community or healthcare infrastructure, there do not seem to be many alternatives for obtaining useful information on the types and patterns of injuries that would enable us to prepare for adapting the humanitarian response in future armed conflicts. In addition to guaranteeing healthcare, the presence of structured clinical surveillance systems must be ensured in conflicts.