Following a lockdown imposed by Israeli authorities in Hebron, the West Bank, Palestine, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) had to suspend mobile clinics and in-person mental health consultations. Federica Venturi, MSF project coordinator for Hebron, provides more details on the situation.

“For 10 days, Palestinians in Hebron and surrounding communities have faced military raids, forced evictions, arrests, demolitions of houses and businesses and severe movement restrictions, with disastrous consequences for their access to healthcare. Many people were prevented from reaching medical facilities, while healthcare workers and our staff were unable to reach their patients. It is unacceptable that entire communities are being deprived of healthcare because of sweeping movement restrictions. Israeli authorities must stop imposing restrictive policies which amount to collective punishment and ethnic cleansing.

“The lockdown imposed by Israeli forces on 23 October forced MSF to suspend its regular mobile clinics and in-person mental health consultations. Between 25-29 October alone, we estimate that at least 380 patients across five mobile clinic locations were unable to access medical consultations outside of Hebron city. These communities depend on our services for essential medicines, treatment of chronic diseases, and continuity of mental health care.