Despite a nominal ceasefire, life for people in Gaza remains grim, Israel continues to obstruct humanitarian and medical aid, and enormous needs persist.
At this year's Refugees International Advocacy Awards, we presented the Richard C. Holbrooke Leadership Award to Dr. Thaer Ahmad, in honor of Palestinian healthcare workers in Gaza whose extraordinary service has saved lives under unimaginable conditions. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Thaer Ahmad about his experience providing emergency medical care in Gaza, the consequences of the Israeli government's restrictions on medical supplies and attacks on hospitals, and the importance of advocacy in the face of inhumanity.
Timed Takeaways
[3:00] Inside Gaza's hospitals in the early days of the war
[14:27] "On the brink of collapse": the impacts of obstructing emergency medical equipment
[22:25] "A miserable process:" medical evacuations for Palestinians in and from Gaza
[27:33] Targeted violence on the health system in Gaza and the detention of Palestinian doctors
[40:07] The West Bank: navigating emergency care as checkpoints proliferate
[43:58] The power of advocacy: protesting the Biden administration's military support to Israel
[52:25] The harms of passive voice and the need to humanize Palestinian victims of violence
[56:06] Roundup: Displacement in the news this week
Mentioned in This Episode:
Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide - The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Thematic Report: Attacks on hospitals during the escalation of hostilities in Gaza (7 October 2023 - 30 June 2024) - The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Humanitarian Scorecard: Six Months In, Gaza Ceasefire is Failing - Refugees International
Palestinians Flee as Israeli Forces Raid a Major Hospital in Gaza - New York Times
How the Israeli army besieged and attacked Nasser hospital - Doctors without Borders
Scorecard: Israel Fails to Comply with U.S. Humanitarian Access Demands in Gaza - Refugees International
Update from WHO DG on People Needing Medical Evacuation in Gaza - Director-General of the World Health Organization
US halts visitor visas used for medical trips from Gaza - BBC
Human Rights Groups Petition Israel's High Court: Immediately Allow Medical Evacuations from Gaza to the West Bank and East Jerusalem - Adalah
Your questions about our work in Gaza, answered - Doctors without Borders
The Voice of Hind Rajab
This doctor walked out of a Biden meeting to protest Gaza - NPR
Idealism, Diplomacy and Power: Tony Lake's Story - American Foreign Service Association
A Conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates - The Key Magazine
Eyewitnesses Recount Deadly Israeli Attack on Medics in Gaza - New York Times
Lebanon Flash Update #24 - OCHA
Lebanon says two paramedics among 13 killed in Israeli strikes - BBC
Co-Chairs Call on U.S. Corporations to Reassess UAE Partnerships Amid Sudan Atrocity Concerns - Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
Refugees International – Ways to Take Action
Refugee Advocacy Lab
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This episode of "Forced from Home" was produced by Refugees International. Our technical director and sound designer is Joshua Suhy. Our executive producer is Madison Cullinan. The show's production team also includes Eliza Leal and Sarah Sheffer. Our music is composed by Richard Adam Keyworth from Sound Pocket Music.
