Amnesty International Accuses Palestinian Health Workers of Punishment for Saving Lives
Amnesty International released a report on May 11, 2026 alleging that Palestinian medical personnel are being systematically penalised by Israeli authorities for providing emergency care to injured civilians in the West Bank and Gaza.
The report, based on interviews with more than 50 health workers and families of victims, documents cases where doctors and nurses faced arrest, house‑arrest orders, or revocation of medical licenses after treating patients who were later identified as “terror suspects” by Israeli security services. Amnesty claims the punitive measures violate the Geneva Conventions and constitute a breach of the right to health.
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz responded, stating that “any medical professional who knowingly assists individuals involved in terrorism will be held accountable under the law.” The Israeli Health Ministry, however, denied the existence of a policy targeting health workers and called the Amnesty report “misleading.” In contrast, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated its earlier warning that restrictions on medical staff in occupied territories exacerbate humanitarian crises.
Human‑rights scholar Dr. Hadi Al‑Khatib of Birzeit University argued that the alleged punishments erode trust between Palestinian communities and health institutions, potentially deterring patients from seeking urgent care. Former UNRWA coordinator, Carsten Stahn, echoed this concern, noting that “the average response time for emergency care has increased by 40 % since the restrictions began.”
Amnesty urges the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary examination into possible war‑crime allegations linked to the targeting of medical personnel. The organization also calls on the United Nations Security Council to convene an emergency session to address the alleged violations. The next update from Amnesty is expected in June, following additional field investigations in the Gaza Strip.