27 November 2024
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon and hopes it will bring a permanent end to Israel’s military attacks across the country, including on Palestinian refugee camps. This offers a vital opportunity to address the dire health and humanitarian needs resulting from more than a year of violence. We also emphasise the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, and for accountability for attacks on civilians and healthcare services in both Gaza and Lebanon.
Since 8 October 2023, the Israeli military has killed at least 3,583 people in airstrikes across Lebanon, including 231 children, and injured over 15,000. More than 896,000 people have been displaced, including many Palestinians from refugee camps and communities in the south, with families having lost their homes and livelihoods. Lebanon’s health system, already under immense strain, has been further crippled by direct attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, with 226 healthcare workers killed and 137 facilities targeted.
Wafa Dakwar, MAP’s Lebanon Director, said: “This ceasefire provides a glimmer of hope for thousands of people in Lebanon who have been living in fear and uncertainty. Now, the focus must be on delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance and ensuring that displaced people can access essential healthcare, shelter and psychosocial support. The international community must also take urgent action to end Israel’s violations against Palestinians and ensure accountability in Gaza, where the Israeli military’s war on Palestinians is devastating civilian lives and infrastructure.”
Building on its more than 40 years of work in Lebanon, MAP is responding to the emergency by providing mental health and psychosocial support for displaced families; delivering essential health services to displaced mothers and children; prepositioning blankets, hygiene kits, medications and food packages to meet immediate needs; and working with Lebanon’s Ministry of Health to deploy Emergency Medical Teams, comprised of international healthcare experts, to assist the local health system.
MAP remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the health and dignity of Palestinians across Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory. Now a ceasefire has been secured in Lebanon, MAP calls on the international community to immediately upscale humanitarian aid and support local healthcare providers to respond to critical needs.
We reiterate our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access and accountability for all violations of international law. We also demand firm action to protect UNRWA and its vital services across the region.
The UK must act urgently to protect Palestinians from extermination in Gaza. Email your MP below now.
Photo: A Lebanese person inspects damage at the site of overnight Israeli airstrikes on the Chiah neighbourhood in Beirut's southern suburbs on October 4, 2024. (Photo by Fadel Itani. Credit: UPI/Alamy Live News).
