”The campaign reflects a shared concern about the increasing lack of respect for medical services,” says Katharina Ritz, the ICRC’s Head of Mission for the occupied territories. “Protecting medical staff and facilities from attack and facilitating the evacuation and treatment of the sick and wounded – no matter who they are – are fundamental requirements under international humanitarian law”.

This campaign forms part of a series of initiatives in both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, which includes training sessions, seminars, competitions, activities for students and dialogue, all aimed at raising awareness of obligations towards medical services.

“Responsibility for protecting medical services falls on many shoulders – including those of medical staff themselves,” says Ritz, “But it is particularly the responsibility of the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, of members of their armed forces, and of the other armed groups, to ensure that people trying to save lives are not targeted while doing so."