Stop this disproportionate use of violence
WHAT happened on Monday is unacceptable and inhumane.
The death toll provided by Gaza health authorities – 55 dead and 2 271 wounded, including 1 359 wounded with live ammunition – is staggering.
It is unbearable to witness such a massive number of unarmed people being shot in such a short time.
Our medical teams are working around the clock, as they have done since April 1, providing surgical and postoperative care to men, women and children, and they will continue to do so tonight, tomorrow and for as long as they are needed.
In one of the hospitals where we are working, the chaotic situation is comparable with what we observed after the bombings of the 2014 war, with a colossal influx of injured people in a few hours, completely overwhelming the medical staff.
Our teams carried out more than 30 surgical interventions, sometimes on two or three patients in the same operating theatre, and even in the corridors.
This bloodbath is a continuation of the Israeli army’s policy during the last seven weeks – shooting with live ammunition at demonstrators, on the assumption that anyone approaching the separation fence is a legitimate target.
Most of the wounded will be condemned to suffer lifelong injuries.
In the wake of the 70th anniversary of the 1948 Nakba (from the Arabic, “Immense Catastrophe”) yesterday, the Israeli army must stop its disproportionate use of violence against Palestinians protesters.
Marie-Elisabeth Ingres is an MSF representative in Palestine