Gaza Hospitals on the Brink of Collapse Amid Ongoing Conflict
Gaza's healthcare system is facing an imminent crisis as the Ministry of Health warns that all hospitals in the region will cease operations within 48 hours due to severe fuel shortages. This dire situation is exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli bombardment, which has already resulted in significant casualties among medical staff and patients. Reports indicate that Kamal Adwan Hospital was struck by Israeli drone fire, injuring a doctor and several patients, highlighting the perilous conditions under which healthcare workers are operating.
The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Hussam Abu Safiya, confirmed the injuries sustained during the attack and noted that the hospital has been deliberately targeted for the second consecutive day. He recounted the tragic losses faced by medical personnel, including a doctor who lost 17 family members in an airstrike. The World Health Organization has expressed grave concern for the safety of patients and medical teams, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities around the hospital and the facilitation of humanitarian access.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly since the onset of the Israeli offensive on October 7, 2023. With over 148,000 casualties reported, including many women and children, the health system is under extreme duress. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded individuals, compounded by a critical shortage of medical supplies and the refusal of Israeli authorities to allow humanitarian aid into the region.
Palestinian sources report that the systematic targeting of medical facilities and emergency services has become a pattern, particularly in the northern Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict has resulted in more than 2,000 deaths and over 6,000 injuries in the Jabalia camp and surrounding areas. As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, the looming threat of famine adds another layer of urgency to the situation, with many families facing dire food shortages amidst the destruction of residential areas.
