Canadian Medical Organizations Call for Immediate International Investigation Into Atrocities After Israeli Forces Kill 13 Palestinian Paramedics

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Virtual Press Conference to be held April 10, 2025 at 10 am EST 

Zoom Link:

Topic: UOSSM Canada Press Conference
Time: Apr 10, 2025 10:00 PM America/Toronto
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88102538052?pwd=krGqcXEqqfdfaYbVtQGjYccfjGhJVa.1  
Meeting ID: 881 0253 8052
Passcode: 972451

Targeting of Medical Personnel Must Stop

"Forgive me, mother. This is the path I chose -- to help people"

These were among the final words of Rifaat Radwan, a Palestinian medic, before he was executed by the Israeli military. He was killed, along with 14 of his colleagues, despite being clearly identified as a healthcare worker. Their deaths mark yet another blatant violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions by the Israeli armed forces.

As healthcare professionals, we condemn these atrocities in the strongest possible terms. We call on the international community to take urgent and decisive action to protect medical personnel and uphold the principles of humanitarian law.

The Israeli Army has resumed bombing in Gaza, cut off electricity and humanitarian aid, and is starving the entire population of Gaza.

The Israeli Army has violated the ceasefire agreement and international law again and conducted heavy bombing in Gaza massacring 404 Palestinians mostly women and children. A humanitarian aid worker and a staff member of UOSSM Canada Mohammad Rayash had 13 members of his family killed including children. Despite a ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces have started bombing Gaza  once again violating international law and massacring innocent civilians. This relentless assault underscores the urgency of international intervention to protect lives and uphold international humanitarian law.

We call on PM Carney and the Canadian government to take the following actions:

1. Demand full compliance with the ceasefire agreement and an end to the bombing and ongoing killing of civilians, including sniper attacks on women and children.
2. Demand the immediate release of healthcare providers hostages and the 2,000 Palestinian children held in Israeli administrative detention without charge.
3. Condemn and take action to stop the war crimes of cutting off electricity, food, and water to the civilian population.
4. Demand immediate humanitarian access to Gaza, including the provision of food, water, and medical aid. The current blockade is illegal and immoral, with children and babies at risk of starvation and death from exposure.
5. Demand an end to the bombing of buildings in the West Bank and the forced expulsion of over 40,000 Palestinians from refugee camps over the past 4 months.
6. Implement a complete two-way arms embargo on Israel, including the cessation of supplies of F-35 jets and parts used to bomb "safe zones" and destroy entire neighborhoods.
7. Uphold Canada's commitment to international law and human rights.
8. Allow international monitors into Gaza and the West Bank to protect civilians especially the children from extermination.

Canada must not be complicit in these war crimes. We stand with international law and demand that Canada take decisive action to protect human lives and human dignity.

Event Speakers:

• Dr. Aliya Khan
  • Board Member, UOSSM Canada
• Dr. Catherine Clase
  • Board Advisory Committee Member, UOSSM Canada
• Dr. Anas Al Kassem
  • Vice Chair, UOSSM Canada
• Dr. Amgad El Sherief
  • Board Member, UOSSM Canada

Signed by:

• Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations - Canada (UOSSM Canada)
• Doctors For Humanity (DFH)
• Canadians in Support of Refugees in Dire Need (CSRDN)
• United for Peace -Canadian Interfaith Coalition

SOURCE UOSSM Canada

For media inquiries, please contact: UOSSM Canada at: [email protected]