Closing Critical Gaps to Stop Attacks on Health

Attacks on health care during armed conflict were a central topic during a recent gathering of United Nations member states and civil society organizations in New York City. Taking place on Tuesday, this event marked a renewed commitment to safeguarding health services amidst war, coinciding with Protection of Civilians Week. The meeting highlighted a significant failure to honor international laws that govern the protection of health care from violence. The event also commemorated the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2286. Participants raised alarms about the escalating trend of assaults on hospitals, ambulances, and medical professionals amid hostilities. This pivotal resolution calls for all states and parties engaged in armed conflict to “prevent and address” these attacks on health. Under wartime laws, medical personnel are afforded protection as non-combatants or civilians. Essential facilities like hospitals and clinics enjoy special safeguards, which remain intact unless these facilities are misused for harmful assaults against the enemy. However, this infrastructure remains shielded from indiscriminate attacks or those that cause undue civilian suffering. Furthermore, targeting key resources such as water and electricity facilities can infringe upon international human rights and humanitarian law standards. Human Rights Watch has extensively documented illegal attacks on health care settings in various regions, including Syria, Myanmar, Gaza, and Ukraine. The focus of Tuesday's gathering was on addressing the disconnect that exists between discourse and tangible actions, as well as the gap between violations and accountability. A representative from Spain, a co-host of the event alongside Poland, emphasized, “The gap is not narrowing; it’s widening.” Governments need to take Resolution 2286’s directives seriously to prevent attacks on health in armed conflict. This includes enhancing data gathering on assaults against health care and integrating respect for international law into military protocols and training. Additionally, it is crucial to expand domestic legislation to incorporate international legal obligations and limit the export of arms and technologies that can be used to identify and target health care facilities and personnel. Regular and transparent reporting on compliance with these and other legal responsibilities is essential. Intentionally attacking health care in conflict situations violates core principles of international law, forcing civilians to endure the long-term ramifications of war without adequate access to necessary medical care. It is imperative for governments to transform their rhetoric into decisive actions. For further reading, you can explore resources on international humanitarian law at the [International Committee of the Red Cross](https://www.icrc.org/en) and [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int). Learn more about health attacks prevention and related issues on [www.globemigrant.com/health-attacks](http://www.globemigrant.com/health-attacks) and [www.globemigrant.com/protection-health](http://www.globemigrant.com/protection-health). Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/05/19/closing-the-gaps-on-needed-action-to-end-attacks-on-health

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