Update Dec 1: We demand a permanent ceasefire now.

The 7 day ‘truce’ has ended and there is already bombings of houses, refuge camps and hospitals. 

The last large hospital in the south is being targeted. It has not received the required medical supplies to treat its already beyond-stretched capacity. 

Over 15,000 killed, with over 6100 of them children. More than double have been injured without access to proper care.  Thousands more missing. 

The average age of those killed in Gaza since October 7th is five years. 

1.8 million - over 80% have been displaced. Already one of the most populated places in the world has been condensed further, while experiencing one of the largest humanitarian crises seen in modern history. 

Experts predict death by disease will soon surpass the amount killed by bombing. They are predicting more than 15,000 additional deaths just by disease alone, if immediate action is not taken. 

Targeting of hospitals, ambulances and medical workers continues. Targeting of civilians including refugee camps, schools used as shelters and the outskirts of hospitals used as shelters continues.

As healthcare professionals witnessing this historical, unprecedented man-made humanitarian crisis take place, we demand of our elected officials:

·       An immediate and total ceasefire – not just a pause

·       No additional US funding to the state of Israel to continue this humanitarian crisis

·       Expanded access to the Rafah border crossing; allow the crossing of all available humanitarian aid in and the exit for all those that need or wish to leave – including patients in need of additional care, and much needed fuel and medicine (this does not include the forced evacuation of Palestinians into Egypt) - 

·       Address the root causes that have resulted in the need for continued Palestinian resistance

(Below from Oct 18)

Members of Congress and President Biden,

We, as medical professionals in the United States, demand an immediate ceasefire.

We, as medical professionals in the United States, have dedicated our lives to an oath that transcends borders, one that binds us to "do no harm," to never abandon our patients, and to provide care to all, regardless of their backgrounds. It is with great concern and moral responsibility that we address the situation in Gaza, where the Palestinian people have endured years under occupation, and the recent escalation by the Israeli government represents a grave violation of human rights, contrary to our core principles as medical professionals.

We wish to emphasize that our tax dollars contribute to the $3.8 billion in military assistance provided to the Israeli government annually. Regrettably, these funds are being utilized to carry out military actions in one of the world's most densely populated areas, home to over 2 million civilians, whom have nowhere to seek refuge and no means to escape.

Gaza is home to over 1 million children under the age of 15 and, currently, an estimated 60,000 pregnant women. The Israeli government's restrictions on water, electricity, and humanitarian aid are causing immense suffering and depriving the residents of essential medical supplies and care.

Evacuation orders have been given for north Gaza. All civilians that do not leave have been told they will not be spared. The Israeli government is asking for the nurses and doctors in the northern hospitals to leave their patients. They are asking for the rescue workers to abandon their efforts at sites of flattened buildings. Already dire without bulldozers due to lack of fuel. The situation is untenable, as healthcare professionals face the heart-wrenching dilemma of abandoning their patients due to evacuation orders while an estimated 1200 people remain trapped under rubble. In addition, the roads to the south were bombed while many were evacuating and bombing is continuing in south Gaza.

Moreover, only a fraction of Gaza's hospitals remain operational.  A hospital of over 100 years was bombed, killing over 800 people to date. Needed oxygen is in short supply but when a hospital is bombed, oxygen ignites, and huge explosions create utter destruction. The only oncology hospital is no longer functioning. Without electricity and water, incubators for babies do not work, medical equipment for intensive care and surgeries do not work, x-rays and diagnostic equipment are not able to help treat the thousands of patients injured. Medicine and medical supplies are also running low or absent. Burn and surgical injuries without wound care supplies nor antibiotics. And in so much pain – unbearable physical pain – Gaza is out of pain medicine. Burn victims, those pulled out from under rubble, patients with missing limbs, are currently without any medicine to help with their pain. Add to this the trauma of experiencing an average of a bomb every two minutes, 24 hours a day, since October 7th. Physicians are treating patients without anesthesia to help save as many as possible, including children receiving stitches without anesthesia or pain medicine. 

The deliberate targeting of healthcare professionals and facilities is exacerbating an already dire situation.  Nurses and doctors that have not been asked to evacuate are being asked to make the decision to continue to come to work with the likelihood that Israel will bomb them. Even for the hospitals not destroyed, many health professionals have been wounded or killed. Ambulances and medics have been targeted. Health care professionals and their families are actively being targeted.

In addition, almost 100% of Gaza's limited water is now contaminated, forcing its residents to consume sea water or known-to-be-contaminated water. The control of both water and electricity in Gaza lies with Israel, exemplifying the consequences of the ongoing occupation.

As medical professionals contributing our tax dollars to the current destruction in Gaza, we urgently demand that the U.S. government cease its support for the suffering of the Palestinian people. We call for an immediate de-escalation by the Israeli government, including an immediate ceasefire. We call for the cancellation of evacuation orders for over 1 million people in North Gaza, the restoration of water and electricity by the Israeli government, and the full opening of the Rafah border to allow humanitarian aid in and exit routes for those who wish to leave or in need of additional medical attention.

These demands are not just basic; they are essential for every human being's well-being. These demands should not be controversial. All individuals deserve clean water, food, medicine, and a safe shelter, regardless of their circumstances. All humans deserve safety from collective punishment. As healthcare professionals, we call for accountability from our government in addressing these pressing issues.

We kindly request your attention to this matter and the utmost urgency in taking action.

Sincerely,