Over 43,000 sign petition supporting nomination of Gaza health workers for 2024 Nobel Peace Prize

More than 43,000 people have signed a petition to support the nomination of Gaza healthcare workers for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.

The petition, hosted on the site Change.org, comes amid Israel's brutal war on the Gaza Strip, which has so far killed at least 235 healthcare professionals, according to Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor.

Israeli forces have attacked hospitals, ambulances, residential buildings, and places of worship since fighting started 12 weeks ago.

"Each time a healthcare worker in Gaza leaves their loved ones, they hug and kiss them knowing they might not ever see them again," the petition said.

"Or worse, they might see them on a stretcher, dying or dead."

The petition added: "Think of the healthcare workers who shelter their patients; who work without rest. They grieve for those who could not be saved, and pray with those who are in their final moments."

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of six annual awards named after Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, given to recognise contributions to categories including chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace.

"Please put your signature to this petition to support [the healthcare workers'] nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize 2024," the petition said.

"Put politics, religion, and divisions aside. Connect with these humans and show them the worldwide awe and respect that they deserve.

"By signing this nomination, they will know that the world believes in them. They will know that they matter. They are seen."

Up to three people can share Nobel prizes in any of the six categories. The winner of the peace prize can also be an organisation.

It means the prize cannot be awarded to Gaza healthcare workers as a whole, but could be given to a particularly inspiring individual or medical institution in the enclave.

Israel's war on Gaza has so far killed more than 21,800 people, according to the strip's health ministry.

Euro-Med Monitor puts the toll, which includes those presumed dead under the rubble, at more than 30,000 as of Saturday.

The health ministry's figure does not include those below the rubble or whose bodies have not been identified or claimed by relatives.

Reuters contributed to this story.