Minister of Health Koca: ‘Our humanity is dependent on the end of the tragedy in Gaza’

Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca, in his speech at the 77th World Health Assembly General Assembly of the United Nations, drew attention to the collapse of the healthcare system in Gaza and the humanitarian tragedy, stating that ‘Our human dignity is dependent on the end of the tragedy in Gaza.’ Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca spoke at the 77th World Health Assembly General Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland. In his speech, Koca emphasized that Israel is waging war on the fundamental human right of health by targeting hospitals and treatment facilities in Gaza. Koca stated that targeting hospitals is a war crime and expressed, ‘Children whose bodies are torn apart and scattered in all directions are the children of Gaza and the 21st century. War has reached the sacred; there is no place left to seek protection, no honorable word left to provide assurance.’ Koca highlighted that the situation in Gaza threatens the lives of 1.4 million civilians in the Rafah region, with more than 600,000 people forced to leave the area, and the prevention of food, water, and other basic needs shows that hunger is being used as a weapon of war by Israel. Koca emphasized the long-term consequences of the collapsed healthcare system, inhumane living conditions, epidemics, inadequate nutrition, and severe psychological traumas. Therefore, he stated that it is necessary to end the Israeli attacks targeting civilians in Gaza with a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible. Minister Koca announced that Turkey has suspended all trade with Israel until humanitarian aid reaches Gaza uninterrupted, stating, ‘This tragedy, observed entirely before our eyes, is one of the greatest tragedies, including those of the Second World War.’ Koca called for action from the international community to prevent the use of these inhuman weapons. He emphasized the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire, stating, ‘Our human dignity is dependent on the end of the tragedy in Gaza.’ After the speech, Palestinian Minister of Health Dr. Abu Ramadan congratulated Minister Koca for his speech.