May 14, 2018: Palestinian Canadian doctor Tarek Loubani shot by Israel while providing medical aid in Gaza
“It’s very, very hard to believe that the Israelis who shot me and the Israelis who shot my other colleagues—just from our medical crew, four of us were shot, including Musa Abuhassanin, who passed away. It’s very hard to believe that they didn’t know who we were, they didn’t know what we were doing, and that they were aiming at anything else.” - Dr. Tarek Loubani
On this day in 2018, Tarek Loubani, a Palestinian Canadian doctor from London, Ontario was shot in both legs by Israel while providing medical aid to protesters in Gaza during the Great March of Return. While standing with his medical team, he suddenly found himself falling to the ground, injured. A paramedic by the name of Musa Abuhassanin rushed to aid him, and was later shot and killed. A total of 19 medical personnel were shot that day.
A CBC article reported that this was was “the deadliest” day in Gaza since Israel’s assault in 2014, with Israeli forces killing 59 individuals and injuring 2,700. The Great March of Return protests lasted for two years, during which Israeli forces killed 214 Palestinians (including 46 children) and injured 36,100 (including almost 8,800 children). During the first six months, Israeli forces shot and killed 3 medical workers, and injured another 115.
Canada’s response was initially muted, but Justin Trudeau eventually released a statement saying he was “appalled” by the incident and calling for an "independent investigation." However, although he appreciated the acknowledgment, Loubani said that it wouldn’t have a meaningful impactful for Palestinians living in Gaza: “We could try to relieve the blockade, build a port, create a way for Palestinians to enter and exit. These are things that will improve Palestinian lives, not investigations. We don’t lack investigations. And frankly, while I think that it will be academically interesting to add to the record, I don’t think it will change Palestinian lives.” Regardless, an investigation into the incident never took place, and Israeli officials were never held accountable.
Read More:
CJPME condemns Israeli shooting of Canadian doctor, slaughter of Gaza protesters
London, Ont., physician Tarek Loubani shot in leg near Gaza border - CBC