London, 7 April 2025 – Marking World Health Day under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) has issued an urgent briefing to Members of the UK Parliament, drawing attention to the catastrophic collapse of the healthcare system in the Gaza Strip.

The document, titled “No Healthy Beginnings in Gaza,” outlines the severe impact of ongoing Israeli bombardment and blockade on maternal and newborn health, amid widespread targeting of healthcare facilities and medical personnel.

According to recent figures from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, over 274 infants were born and killed under bombardment, 876 babies under one year old were killed, and 39,000 children have been orphaned—including 17,000 who lost both parents. Gaza now faces what may be the largest orphan crisis in modern history, while 7,700 infants remain at risk of death due to lack of neonatal care, 534 days after the beginning of the Israeli assault on Gaza.

The briefing also highlights the case of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who remains imprisoned under inhumane conditions, denied medical care despite suffering heart issues. The briefing also details the death of Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a senior orthopaedic surgeon who was reportedly raped and tortured to death in Israeli custody—one of many Palestinian medics targeted since the start of the war.

The PRC briefing calls on UK Parliamentarians to:

“The tragedy unfolding in Gaza starkly contradicts the spirit of World Health Day,” said a PRC spokesperson. “There can be no healthy beginnings nor hopeful futures under Israel’s siege, bombardment and genocidal assaults on Gaza. We urge UK lawmakers to take principled action and uphold the right to health and dignity for all civilians in Gaza.”