Since 2016, suicide rates in Gaza have been rising, reflecting rising levels of despair and hopelessness in the population, the Guardian reports. Until recently suicide in Gaza had been rare, partly due to strong clan networks, but mostly because killing oneself is forbidden in traditional Muslim societies.

The JVP Health Advisory Council’s round up of health reports and advisories impacting the lives of Palestinians living under military occupation.

Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council releases a statement calling for a “full and impartial investigation of the Israeli military’s actions since March 30 in response to the Gaza protests.” In the last month Israeli forces have killed 37 Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip.

The total number of Palestinians detained by Israeli forces since the beginning of the protests that followed US President Donald Trump’s’ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was 490, including 148 minors and 11 women, as of December 20, Ma’an reported. While Palestinian Centre for Human Rights documented 256 Palestinians wounded, including 29 children and 5 journalists.

Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council issues this urgent statement to raise awareness and concern about the life-threatening and dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This catastrophic situation is largely the result of long and short term Israeli policies exacerbated by the cynical power struggle between the leadership of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.