International Women’s Day is on March 8th of each year, which the international community has devoted to supporting women’s rights and enhancing their status. In this year, this occasion comes in the ongoing genocidal war on Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation, accompanied by the widespread targeting of civilians and civilian objects, and the imposed strict siege that hinders the entry of humanitarian aid. During these ongoing strikes and crimes, Palestinian women in Gaza bear a double burden as they are killed, injured and displaced. They also face severe shortage in food, water and health care. In addition, many of them, especially those who have lost their breadwinner, are forced to bear the responsibility of caring for their children and families under extremely harsh humanitarian conditions.

According to information received from Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Israeli military attacks caused the killing of 72,126 Palestinians who have arrived hospitals until now since October 2023, including almost 12,500 women. Also, women have directly injured. The available numbers indicate that injured women and children constituted about 40% of the total number of wounded and injured which are 171,809, while their psychological and physiological sufferings deepened as a result of losing a family member like father, mother or husband.

More than 6020 families have lost the majority of their members, and only one survivor remained mostly, which is mostly a woman or a child. Also, 21,193 women have lost their husbands and became widows, and 22,426 fathers were martyred. This reality means that thousands of families have lost their primary breadwinner, and the woman becomes the sole responsible for herself and her children in harsh humanitarian and economic conditions, increasing her exposure to danger while seeking to secure food and shelter.

The risks faced by women in Gaza Strip are increasing as their abilities to manage their daily life and provide the basic needs for their families are continued to decline, especially in the widespread targeting of economic sectors, the shutdown of production facilities, the damage of infrastructure facilities, including water, electricity, and sewage networks, the ban on the entry of fuel and cooking gas, and the transportation disruption due to the rubbles on roads.

Mrs. (Kh.A) says:” I am a widow and displaced living in Mawasi Khan Yunis. I have 5 children. My husband was martyred in the eastern region of Bani Suhaila when he went to our house to bring some needs for our children due to the extreme cold in winter. Since the death of my husband and before him my son, I am responsible for children, bringing food and water, and going to associations and institutions. Also, I suffer from malnutrition and need rest, treatment and healthy food, but I have to secure the house needs daily, go to the marketplace and the soup kitchen (Tekke), and wait in line for water because I am a mother and responsible for children.”

The Palestinian women in Gaza are living in tragic conditions due to targeted housing and lack of shelter, and they are forced to live in tents or shelters that lack the most basic necessities of life. Their sufferings increased due to the collapse of health services, and the lack of sterilization and pregnancy care materials, which affected their physiological and psychological health. 75% of them face depression, 62% insomnia, and 65% anxiety and nightmares, while bearing double burdens of caring for children, securing food and water in conditions of displacement and poverty.

Pregnant and postpartum women are suffering from their inability to provide foods rich in protein and get nutritional supplements. Also, the risks to sick women have also doubled due to the shortage of medicines and medical supplies, the lack of specialized medical personnel, the ban on the entry of specialized medical equipment, and the restrict of medical delegations’ movement. This has directly affected women with cancer and kidney failure who face real risks to their lives, especially after the destruction and burning of the contents of the only facility for cancer patients which is the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the destruction of dialysis machines, and the closure of Rafah crossing as wounded and sick people are waiting to be allowed to travel for treatment and complete it abroad.

Al Mezan Center for human rights denounces the ongoing targeting and revenge of Palestinian women by the Israeli forces, and using physical violence against them. It also denounces the deliberate exacerbating of their suffering by placing them in harsh and complicated environment, imposing heavy restrictions on movement, and banning the entry of the basic materials needed for their lives despite the clear and special protection for them which is provided by the international law.

Therefore, Al Mezan Center for human rights calls on the international community to carry out its duties, intervene urgently to stop the crime of genocide, force Israel to abide by the decisions of the International Court of Justice, end the policy of starvation, impose ceasefire in Gaza Strip, and end the imposed siege on the Strip immediately.

Al Mezan calls for the immediate provision of medical equipment and devices in health centers and clinics, ensuring the entry of aid and food supplies, and providing fuel, laboratory materials and health supplies. Also, the center appeals to international institutions, especially those concerned with women, to intensify their efforts in advocacy, support, and highlighting the reality of women in the occupied Palestinian territories to determine the extent of violations and violence that Palestinian women are exposed to.

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