South African Healthcare Workers Protest Gaza Starvation

On August 7, 2025, healthcare workers in Cape Town, South Africa, protested against Israel's actions in Gaza. The demonstration focused on the weaponization of hunger and the mass starvation occurring there. The protest involved healthcare workers from both public and private hospitals across South Africa.

The protests took place at or near at least ten facilities in Western Cape Province, with additional events planned for Gauteng Province. Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine SA organized coordinated lunchtime protests nationwide to send a clear message. They condemned the ongoing situation, describing it as a genocide.

A member of Healthcare Workers 4 Palestine SA, highlighted the violation of international humanitarian law. She emphasized that healthcare workers and hospitals are protected in war zones, yet Israel is allegedly targeting and killing healthcare professionals, bombing hospitals, and denying access to healthcare. She stated that healthcare professionals cannot remain silent when their profession is being used to kill rather than save lives.

The healthcare worker also pointed out that starvation has become a key tool in the conflict. She described the devastating impact on mothers and children, with mothers unable to produce milk due to malnutrition and children dying. She characterized starvation as a slow, painful, and treacherous death.

Famine/Catastrophe," the worst level. The commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East called on Israel to allow the UN and its partners to carry out their work without obstruction. He noted that the attempts to replace the UN-coordinated response with Israeli militarized distribution points have led to hunger becoming a major cause of death in Gaza.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, and 150,000 have been injured.