The purpose of palliative care is to alleviate pain and suffering. But in Gaza, which has been facing a humanitarian crisis and is still under attack by Israel despite a ceasefire in place, what does palliative care look like when the healthcare system is already under dire strain? And why does palliative care still matter? We speak to Dr Rachel Coghlan about her trips to Gaza before the escalation of the genocide in October 2023, and what she continues to hear from her colleagues and friends on the ground.