Over the weekend, the first reported cases of COVID-19 emerged in Gaza.

While the world is struggling to manage this crisis, the people in Gaza are especially at risk.

Thirteens years of Israel’s illegal siege, repeated bombing , and deliberate maiming of protestors in the Great Match of Return have stretched the already fragile healthcare system to collapse.

In addition, Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with only 2,800 hospital beds and 60 working ventilators for roughly 2 million people.

Israel’s illegal blockade means the infrastructure simply doesn’t stand a chance against this pandemic.

The UN already warned the world 8 years ago that Gaza would become uninhabitable by 2020.

Thousand will unnecessarily die unless urgent action is taken.

Palestinians in Gaza need our support now.

*ACT NOW*

1) Use the template below and email the Foreign Secretary – dominic.raab.mp@parliament.uk

2) Share this Action Alert

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Dear Dominic Raab, 

The first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Gaza this week. While the virus has had a devastating impact globally, the 1.8 million citizens of Gaza are especially vulnerable. It is critical that Israel ends the siege on Gaza NOW.

Gaza’s fragile healthcare system is already stretched to breaking point. Thirteen years of an illegally imposed blockade, repeated Israeli bombings, and the deliberate maiming of Great March of Return protesters, have placed unbearable strain on the system. 

Officials warn that containment and treatment of COVID-19 under the current Israeli siege will be impossible. Allowing the blockade to continue will mean certain and unnecessary death for countless Palestinians.

Israel has restricted testing kits to the densely populated strip, and there are only 60 working ventilators and 2,800 hospital beds. Palestinians must be able to access health treatment, and we have a responsibility in the UK to support them by bringing an end to Israeli restrictions. 

Eight years ago the UN warned Gaza would become uninhabitable by 2020. The crisis in Gaza is not new, but constructed through the intolerable restrictions placed on the coastal strip by Israel. Denying the population access to basic resources – including medicines – is a form of collective punishment that we have a responsibility to end. 

We have the power to save thousands of lives, but this requires you to take immediate action by insisting Israel ends its illegal blockade of Gaza. The UK must ensure Palestinians have access to the medical care they need.