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November 25, 2024 – Palestine/Israel/UN –
A coalition of UN human rights experts issued a pressing appeal for the urgent medical evacuation of Fadi al‑Wahidi, a critically injured Al Jazeera cameraman in Gaza. The experts, including UN special rapporteurs on freedom of expression and the right to health, highlighted that al‑Wahidi sustained severe spinal injuries and paralysis after being shot in the neck during an Israeli military operation in October 2023.
The UN statement stressed that al‑Wahidi continues to fight for his life in a Gaza hospital ill-equipped to address his serious condition. They warned that ongoing delays in his evacuation amount to a “denial of the right to health” and may appear as part of a “pattern of persecution” against journalists. The experts demanded that Israel, which controls medical exit permits, facilitate his transfer abroad to access necessary treatment.
According to Al Jazeera, al‑Wahidi has been bedridden, prone to repeated paralysis episodes, and suffering from complications like unstable blood pressure—yet remains stuck in Gaza due to the refusal of exit permits by Israeli authorities. The UN experts compared his plight to a humanitarian emergency, urging swift action to preserve his life.
This incident is emblematic of broader concerns about Israel’s handling of injured journalists and patients in Gaza. The World Health Organization reported an alarming backlog of over 12,000 evacuation requests—mostly for children—highlighting systemic delays. Only a small fraction are approved each month, raising fears that many more lives could be lost unnecessarily.
The UN’s public intervention spotlights a critical intersection of war, censorship, and human rights. By demanding al‑Wahidi’s evacuation, the UN experts underscore the vital importance of safeguarding journalists and ensuring access to life-saving medical care. Their appeal sends a stark warning: failure to act may amount to indirect persecution and a violation of international norms on health and press freedom.
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