Statement from the
Palestine-Global Mental Health Network
And the International Collective of the Palestine Mental Health Networks
Grave Concern Regarding Attack on Gaza Community Mental Health Programme Facilities
October 22, 2025
The Palestine-Global Mental Health Network and the international collective of the Palestine Mental Health Networks express our profound alarm and unequivocal condemnation of the armed takeover of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) facility in Gaza City on October 13, 2025.
This unconscionable attack on a vital mental health institution represents not only a direct assault on humanitarian infrastructure, but a devastating blow to the most vulnerable members of Palestinian society who depend on these critical services. The forcible seizure of this facility, which houses multiple clinics serving thousands of patients, constitutes a grave violation of all laws and norms, and a blatant assault on the sanctity of civil and humanitarian institutions working to serve the Palestinian people in these catastrophic circumstances.
We are particularly disturbed that this incident has occurred at a time when the Palestinian people in Gaza are facing the most horrific genocidal war in modern times and are experiencing unprecedented psychological trauma. We share GCMHP's grave concern that despite urgent written complaints to relevant official authorities requesting immediate intervention, no concrete action has yet been taken on the ground to ensure the return of the facility. This raises serious questions about the fate of civil society organizations operating in the field, and about the protection of law and public order at this critical stage. The continuation of this situation threatens the survival of the few remaining humanitarian service providers that Palestinians desperately need.
The GCMHP, which has served the Gaza Strip for nearly four decades, represents a beacon of hope and healing in a context of unimaginable suffering. The organization's work with children, women, the elderly, and victims of violence and trauma is irreplaceable. The Programme has courageously continued its life-saving work despite catastrophic losses, including the destruction of its main seven-story headquarters in Gaza City, its facility in Khan Yunis, and damage to its Deir al-Balah facility. The complete destruction of its alternative facility in the Shawa Building in September makes the forcibly seized facility the only one providing medical services to patients in Gaza City.
The continuation of this attack not only undermines the right of a national humanitarian organization to operate, but also strikes at the heart of the right of thousands of patients to psychological and health care, posing a direct threat to their lives and psychological stability at a time when their suffering is exacerbated by the ongoing siege, destruction, and displacement.
We join GCMHP in their call upon:
The competent Palestinian authorities to immediately assume their legal, moral, and national responsibilities, intervene urgently to evacuate the facility and return it to the institution, ensure the safety of staff and patients, and hold those responsible for this attack accountable without any delay or leniency;
The parties sponsoring the agreement to end the aggressive war on the Gaza Strip to intervene decisively to prevent any practices that undermine humanitarian work or threaten civil peace, recognizing that the continuation of such violations seriously casts doubt on the credibility of all international efforts;
The international community, including humanitarian and human rights institutions, UN agencies, and humanitarian organizations, to take immediate action to protect civilian and humanitarian facilities and ensure their continued operation, free from any threat or interference from any party;
All national and community forces and bodies to stand firmly against the manifestations of chaos and attacks on civil society institutions, recognizing that turning a blind eye to these acts threatens civil peace and undermines the remaining foundations of resilience and dignity in Palestinian society;
The global mental health community to stand in solidarity with our Palestinian colleagues and provide enhanced support during this critical period.
The Palestine-Global Mental Health Network reaffirms our unwavering solidarity with the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme and our commitment to supporting mental health services for the Palestinian people. We stand with GCMHP in their affirmation that they will not relinquish their right to regain their facility, nor remain silent in the face of this attack on the essence of their humanitarian and national mission.
The international mental health community stands united in demanding immediate action to restore this vital facility and protect all humanitarian workers and institutions serving the Palestinian people. We recognize that attacks on mental health facilities constitute attacks on the most fundamental aspects of human dignity, resilience, and recovery.
We see this attack, as GCMHP has stated, as a painful stab in the heart of humanitarian work and a blatant violation of all remaining values. We affirm that the voice of truth will not be silenced, and that the will to serve and heal will remain stronger than any weapon.
Palestine-Global Mental Health Network and the International Collective of Palestine Mental Health Networks