Medics in UK and US say they have been barred from Gaza after speaking out

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Geneva AbdulFebruary 17, 2026 at 12:15 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Medical professionals from the UK and US report being barred from re-entering Gaza, with some believing it's due to their public criticism of the conflict. These medics, who previously provided humanitarian aid, cite rising denial rates and arbitrary refusals, despite international law requiring unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid. Individuals like Dr. James Smith and Dr. Khaled Dawas, who have spoken out about their experiences in Gaza, have been denied entry multiple times in 2024 and 2025 without explanation. The World Health Organization reported a nearly 50% increase in denial rates for international health professionals since March 2024. Some speculate that their political views or prior experience in Gaza may be factors in the denials.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Chicago 30% London 30% Thaer Ahmad 40% World Health Organization (WHO) 50% Khaled Dawas ×250% Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) 60% UK 60% United States 60% James Smith ×480% Israel ×385% Gaza Strip ×795%

Keywords

gaza 100% denied entry 90% medical workers 80% humanitarian aid 80% speaking out 70% world health organization 50% medical aid for palestinians 50% international law 50% medical evacuations 40% conflict 40%