How public health research supports accountability for Israeli war crimes in Gaza by Yara Asi, David Mills, Bram Wispelwey, Osama Tanous, and Weeam Hammoudeh, August 2026)

As a team of public health researchers, we have been documenting the interconnected set of Israeli actions used to dismantle the Gaza Strip’s health system since October 2023. Far from the passive language of “humanitarian crisis” that is often used, our findings reveal a purposeful effort to collapse Gaza’s health sector that was already taking shape during the very first weeks and months of Israel’s military campaign.

Our research contributes to an important body of evidence – built on the foundations of the work and testimonies of Palestinians on the ground – for future justice, accountability, and restitution, including in the case brought by South Africa to the International Court of Justice charging Israel with the crime of genocide.

… These findings have significance beyond public health. They provide empirical evidence that can inform assessments of compliance with international humanitarian law, investigations into alleged war crimes, and broader probes into genocide and other mass atrocity crimes.