Unions around the world are taking action to push Israel to end the targeting and killing of health workers and first responders.

The United Nations reported the targeted killing of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers by Israeli forces on 23 March.

They included eight employees of the Palestinian Red Crescent and at least one staff of the United Nations.

The UN reported Israeli forces killed these health workers, “one by one” and buried them in a shallow mass grave in southern Gaza. Their bodies were only recovered eight days later.

The attack was roundly condemned by Public Services International (PSI) – the global union federation of workers in public services.

Israeli forces have killed at least 1060 healthcare workers and carried out 739 military strikes against 27 out of the 38 hospitals in Gaza.

They have also detained 517 health workers, according to the World Health Organization. More than 160 of these are still being unjustly held in prison.

Daniel Bertossa, the PSI General Secretary said PSI and its affiliates stand with healthworkers in Gaza.

“Health workers are not targets. They provide an essential public service which is central to building a better society, and must be protected against attacks, instead of being made targets,” he said.

“Attacks on these workers inflame hostilities, promote dehumanisation and create the circumstances for further human rights abuses and war crimes.”