The updated reports on the health situation in Gaza, consciously provoked by Israel, are frightening. They call for reflection and the active commitment to which our medical comrade Raul Laguna, embarked on the Flotilla, is appealing.
By Ruben Tzanoff
This year’s Flotilla incorporates the imprint of denunciations and political positions for the just cause of the liberation of Palestine. And it maintains its seal of humanitarian mission, although also expanded: from breaking the food blockade to help with medical, educational, reconstruction and other needs.
In this sense, our comrade Cele Fierro, has been joined by a second comrade, Dr. Raúl Laguna Bosch, general practitioner and trade union activist; both representing the MST-Argentina and the International Socialist League (ISL).
From the ship, as soon as Raul heard the update on medical care in Gaza from Medical Aid for Palestinians, he told us:
“I feel indignation and the need to tell my comrades and fellow doctors, activists and people with social sensitivity, because I reaffirm the conviction that fed me to participate in the Flotilla and because it is necessary for them to support the mission.
Although Israeli bombardments are not currently falling daily and en masse on Gaza, army killings continue; since the “ceasefire” agreement there have been 775 Palestinians killed and 2,171 wounded, as reported by the Ministry of Health.
The siege and the shockwave of attacks continue to deepen the consequences of Zionist barbarism, which rages against the population and, in particular, against healthcare. As a product of the aggression planned and ordered by Netanyahu, Gaza is estimated to have been set back 77 years, which reminds me of Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilization. Zionism and imperialism seek to normalize the act of plunging countries into barbarism.
The logistical and humanitarian blockade continues and causes shortages of fuel and spare parts for hospital generators, which brings services such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) close to complete collapse.
The data provided by MAP1 are frightening: only 18 of the 37 hospitals are partially functioning. Between January 11 and April 11, the inflow of humanitarian aid decreased by 37%. Over the past weekend, hospitals reported 10 dead and at least 24 wounded (Gaza Ministry of Health, Palestine) from Israeli military attacks.
The total lack of scruples of the killers continues to be starkly displayed. UNICEF expressed outrage at the April 17 murder of two truck drivers hired to distribute water to families.
UN Women also testified to the genocidal disaster: more than 38,000 women and 16,000 girls were killed in Gaza between October 2023 and December 2025.
We did not forget Palestinian Prisoners’ Day; of course, neither did people in Gaza, where the Ministry of Health held a solidarity rally in support of imprisoned health workers and doctors.
According to a new Healthcare Workers Watch report2, since October 7, 2023, 446 Palestinian healthcare workers were recorded as detained or missing; six of them died in Israeli custody; and 83 healthcare workers are confirmed as “currently detained.”
The testimony of colleague Omar AlShaer, MAP Medical Supervisor at the Nasser Medical Complex, reported that: “The Nasser is on the verge of total operational collapse…. During the night shift, only one operating room remains operational for emergencies. The CT scanner is only used in the most critical situations, and the central sterilization unit has also been suspended.
Palestinian photojournalist íHatem Omar, injured in attack on Nasser Hospital.
We doctors study and work to save lives. In my case, I also do it to help the people who need it most, who are in Gaza today, and I take it on as a militant internationalist task and trusting in the prospect of a better world, completely different, where life is worth more than bombs and barbarism; that is, a socialist world.”
MAP: British NGO working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Healthcare Workers Watch: NGO focused on documenting the situation of Palestinian healthcare workers, especially in Gaza.
