Destruction of Gaza Health Center Met with Condemnation by Welthungerhilfe
In the midst of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the destruction of essential facilities, such as the Al-Rafi health centre, has further complicated the situation. This clinic, run by the local organisation Juzoor and supported by Welthungerhilfe, was the only source of medical care for 50,000 people in northern Gaza.
Welthungerhilfe, a large private aid organisation based in Germany, strongly condemns such attacks, stating that they violate international humanitarian law. Mathias Mogge, Secretary General of Welthungerhilfe, has voiced his concerns, emphasising that attacking health facilities is a breach of fundamental human rights.
The organisation, which follows the principle of empowering people to help themselves to improve their living conditions, has been operational since December 14, 1962. It has supported over 12,000 overseas projects in about 72 countries, and its work in Gaza has reached around 120,000 people since the beginning of the operation.
However, the current situation in Gaza is severely compromised due to ongoing conflicts and restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities. The Israeli government's distribution scheme, including the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has been criticized for its militarized approach. This system has reduced the number of aid distribution points from 400 to just four military-controlled sites, resulting in overcrowding and violence.
Civilians face gunfire and mass casualties while attempting to access food, leading to a humanitarian crisis where people must choose between starvation and risking their lives to obtain basic necessities. The Israeli authorities have maintained a near-total blockade on aid and commercial goods since March 2025, severely limiting the entry of food, fuel, and other essential supplies.
The ongoing fuel blockade has depleted supplies crucial for healthcare services, with fuel allocations sufficient for only a few days of operation. Attacks on healthcare facilities further disrupt services, endangering lives. Humanitarian organisations, including the UN, have been restricted from delivering aid, with only a few trucks allowed into Gaza since March 2025.
NGOs and international bodies have called for the resumption of UN-led coordination mechanisms and the lifting of blockades to ensure the delivery of life-saving assistance. The militarized aid distribution and restrictions on humanitarian access are considered violations of international law and humanitarian principles. There are concerns about potential war crimes due to the weaponization of food and denial of access to essential services.
Welthungerhilfe, politically independent and non-denominational, strictly adheres to the humanitarian principles of neutrality, humanity, impartiality, and independence in its work. The organisation offers aid from fast disaster relief to long-term development cooperation projects. Pictures used by Welthungerhilfe should not be passed on to third parties and should be deleted after use, and they must be in a Welthungerhilfe context and credited to the photographer/Welthungerhilfe.
The destruction of the Al-Rafi health centre has rendered it unable to operate, affecting more than 600 patients who used to receive medical treatment there daily. The ongoing situation necessitates immediate and sustained international intervention to address the spiraling humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
[1] Human Rights Watch. (2023). Israel/Gaza: Civilian casualties mount as Gaza fighting escalates. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/07/israelgaza-civilian-casualties-mount-gaza-fighting-escalates
[2] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2023). Occupied Palestinian Territory: Humanitarian snapshot (as of 7 October 2023). [online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/occupied-palestinian-territory-humanitarian-snapshot-as-of-7-october-2023
[3] Amnesty International. (2023). Israel/Gaza: Unlawful attacks on civilians must stop. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/israelgaza-unlawful-attacks-on-civilians-must-stop/
[4] Welthungerhilfe. (2023). Annual Report 2022. [online] Available at: https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/about-us/annual-report
[5] World Health Organization. (2023). Gaza Strip: Health system on brink of collapse amidst escalating violence. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/07-10-2023-gaza-strip-health-system-on-brink-of-collapse-amidst-escalating-violence
- The destruction of essential facilities, such as the Al-Rafi health center, exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly in light of the ongoing conflicts and restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities.
- Welthungerhilfe, a politically independent and non-denominational aid organization, emphasizes that attacks on health facilities, like the Al-Rafi health center, violate international humanitarian law and are a breach of fundamental human rights.
- The persistent militarized approach to aid distribution and restrictions on humanitarian access in Gaza have raised concerns about potential war crimes, including the weaponization of food and denial of access to essential services for the general well-being of the population.
- In their annual report, Welthungerhilfe details their work in Gaza, supporting over 120,000 people since the beginning of the operation and offering aid from disaster relief to long-term development cooperation projects in the fields of nutrition, science, health-and-wellness, and medical-conditions.
