Czech Republic may join support operation for Gazans in field hospital

As the Czech Republic considers providing medical support to Gazans, opinions are mixed at home about Prague’s Middle East policy. A new petition supports the government’s firm backing of Israel in its conflict with Hamas militants.

“We appreciate the courageous and principled political stance of our government, which is unique and all the more valuable in this matter,” writes psychoanalyst Martin Mahler, who, along with writer and dissident under the communist regime Ivan Klíma, musician Vladimír Merta and writer Tereza Boučková, signed the petition.

Petitioners blame Hamas for deliberately prolonging the conflict and endangering Palestinians. But earlier this month, over 80 personalities criticized the government’s "unconditional support” of Israel regardless of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Defense Minister Jana Černochová said Monday she hopes to send Czech medics to field hospitals within weeks, pending parliamentary approval. Any medical presence would operate under international humanitarian guidelines, she emphasized.

Černochová’s comments came after a meeting with President Petr Pavel to discuss a request from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made during the Czech minister’s trip to Israel last Thursday.

During the visit, Černochová expressed solidarity with and support for Israel in its fight against Hamas. She welcomed Israel’s efforts to bolster humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Černochová also noted the Czech Republic recently provided several million crowns in assistance to support Gazan civilians and medical groups in Israel.

Černochová has consulted with Czech military leaders, including the Czech Chief of Staff Karel Řehka on options for involvement.

Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip after the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, when Palestinian gunmen killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in the Israeli border area, about 100 of whom were released during last year’s ceasefire.

Authorities in Hamas-ruled Gaza said that 28,473 Palestinians had died as a result of Israeli retaliation. However, the figures cannot be independently verified.