To
all ICOR members

Dear Comrades,

The day before yesterday, we were finally able to speak again with Dr. Rafaat and Jehan from Al-Awda. They gave a very compelling account of the situation in Gaza. I am sending you the transcript so you can get a sense of the situation. The report makes it very clear how important it is to continue the global protests and the fundraising efforts among the masses. Please also feel free to send us photos of your activities. Dr. Rafaat described how important this is for the morale of the people in Gaza. Please send them to the ICOR Office; our comrades will then forward them to Al-Awda.

Warm regards and in solidarity,
Monika Gärtner-Engel

Transcript of the remarks by Dr. Rafaat and Jehan from Al-Awda Gaza during a video call with the ICOR Chief Coordinator and representatives of the organization “Palestine Must Live” from Germany on May 14, 2026

(Summary of the remarks by our Palestinian friends; there were also remarks in between that we are not including in this transcript)

Welcome and messages of solidarity from Monika, opening of the friends’ report:

Dr. Rafaat: Thank you very much. We have honestly missed you very much. The medical situation is very bad. 18,000 patients are waiting to leave Gaza. Among them are not only the wounded, but also the chronically ill and cancer patients. They cannot be treated in Gaza because 28 of 32 hospitals have been completely destroyed. However, the Israeli occupation only allows 50–70 patients out each day. They claim that the Rafah border crossing is open, but that is not true. Estimates suggest that for every person killed by bombing, there are four sick people who will die because they cannot receive treatment.

The Israeli occupation prevents the import of a large portion of medications. Very few are allowed in. The import of all medical equipment is also banned, as well as bandages and similar items. Any equipment that generates electricity or energy, such as generators or solar panels, is not allowed in, nor is motor oil for cars, not even tires. A liter of motor oil used to cost $4–5—today, a liter costs $700. A car tire used to cost $100; today, one costs $3,500.

This situation is very difficult. As Al-Awda, we face too many challenges, but we keep going. We have 12 health centers in northern Gaza near the border, in Nuseirat, as well as in eastern Gaza, the center, and the south.

We work with a few good partners and provide services to 3,500 people daily through medication, treatments, or surgeries. Al-Awda is the largest civilian health and aid organization. We received funds from you and used them to repair our ambulances. We have 13 ambulances, 10 of which were broken; we were able to repair four and convert them to run on diesel. It took $140,000 just to repair the vehicles. Without these ambulances, we couldn’t operate. They’re slowly getting back up and running, but there are no spare parts, tires, or motor oil. Four are working now; the others are hit or miss.

Next Wednesday, we’re holding our first medical conference to assess the medical situation. All organizations involved in medicine, as well as medical students, professors, etc., are participating. You’re warmly invited to join online or deliver a welcome address. 90% of the participants will be from Gaza, along with a few guests from outside.

Life is very difficult. 1.8 million people are living in tents. A new phenomenon is that rats have proliferated in astronomical numbers. For the first time, the rats are a real threat to life, as are stray dogs. Insects we’ve never seen before are also multiplying. These are major new problems we didn’t face before. 1.5 million people are being fed through kitchens run by aid organizations. But they can only provide rice and lentils. This also causes problems and nutritional deficiencies. Very little fruit, meat, or sweets make it into Gaza. Only 5% of the population can afford to buy these items; 95% cannot. The water supply problems are very severe because 86% of the wells are broken. Israel does not allow construction equipment to repair them. The entire area is littered with trash that is dumped in eastern Gaza, and these landfills and piles of rubble are encroaching further and further into Gaza. People are forced to live in an ever-shrinking area within the Yellow Line.

There has been no electricity for more than three years. A kilowatt-hour used to cost 20 cents; now it costs $12. There is no reliable power supply, only generators distributed at random. These reach only 15% of the population, and even then only for a few hours. Education is also a major problem. There is no internet for online classes. The schools are either destroyed or occupied by refugees. They are now trying to provide at least two days of classes per week per student, with students rotating. As for the reconstruction plans, nothing is happening at all, and the Palestinian Authority is not allowed to do anything. The EU imposes conditions on the Palestinian Authority, and as long as these are not met, they are not allowed to act. Hamas is illegal and is not allowed to do anything. If they make an appearance—even if it’s just as police officers, for example—they are bombed. Gaza has gained nothing from Trump’s so-called Peace Board, and people no longer trust anyone. It is a black hole; there is no future, no open borders, and no education. Life has come to a standstill. But the people—and we—are not giving up. That is the reality in Gaza.

My feeling is that international solidarity has declined. You do see the boats from the International Sumud Flotilla, but they are not allowed to arrive. Many are losing hope because the reality isn’t changing. The bombings have decreased, but they still take place daily. Every day, people die or are wounded. Perhaps the solidarity movement has also declined because Israel is painting a false picture. They claim the war is over and the borders are open. That is, of course, false. The borders are almost completely closed. Israel allows very few goods in, and only very few wounded people are allowed to leave. Half of those seeking to leave are turned away, even though they applied in advance.

Your activities and solidarity videos are very important to us. Every small activity, as you reported from the children of the Red Foxes, leaves a big positive impression. Every action, every phone call, every demonstration or conference, no matter how small, gives people some hope. We really need a miracle to put pressure on Israel and the U.S. to change the situation. There is the official level, but at the level of the people, it gives them courage.

At this point, Monika Gärtner-Engel reports on the status of ICOR’s work regarding the health center, as well as on repression, such as in Tunisia. Subsequently, the activists from “Palestine Must Live” in Germany sent their warmest greetings of solidarity and reported on various aspects of the work in Germany. Particularly moving was the contribution from Hashem, a decades-long fighter for the liberation of Palestine

Dr. Rafaat responds and continues: Hashem, your words carry great weight and touch the heart. You speak not only with your tongue, but with your heart. Imperialism will be defeated.

We have listened to all of you regarding the solidarity activities being carried out. I insist that every single action, no matter how small, is very important—even strategically important. You demonstrate morale and you boost morale. The solidarity of people who “live across the seas” is such a good, such a noble thing.

Thank you very much for the information. Your ten questions regarding the preparation of the brigades are important, and we hope to answer them in a few days. We will also organize a video message for the Pentecost Youth Gathering.

As for the rumors that Al-Awda is demanding large sums for treatment: Generally, doubts arise due to the wrongful actions of individuals. We have 12 first-aid centers that offer their services for free: consultations, lab tests, treatment, and care provided by nurses.

26 specific services in the hospitals are completely free: childbirth with or without a C-section, surgeries for women, general surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, and the emergency room. We charge one dollar for an initial examination. We have our own pharmacy where 720 medications are available. 420 of these are free, and for 300 others there are nominal fees amounting to 30–40% of the original price. For procedures such as colonoscopies or gastroscopies, we must charge a fee. We also provide food to pregnant women and nursing mothers free of charge. There are no fees for overnight accommodation.

We would love to speak with you again soon, in less than six weeks. We’ll send you the link for the medical conference on Wednesday. Warm regards to all of you and a hug.