Fuel Shortage Impacts Healthcare in Northern Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza has reached alarming levels as hospitals and ambulance services come to a standstill due to severe fuel shortages. The Ministry of Health in Gaza has urgently called for assistance to provide fuel to hospitals, emphasizing that the lives of wounded and sick individuals are at stake. Reports from Kamal Adwan Hospital depict harrowing scenes, particularly concerning children in intensive care units who are suffering due to the lack of necessary resources.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has reported that all ambulances in northern Gaza are out of service due to the depletion of fuel, exacerbated by ongoing Israeli military operations and a stringent blockade that has persisted for six days. Spokesperson Raed al-Nims confirmed that this situation has paralyzed emergency services, preventing the evacuation of patients and leaving them vulnerable in dire conditions.
Despite efforts to bring additional ambulances to the region, the crisis remains unresolved, with 80 patients still awaiting transfer to safer facilities in Gaza City and other areas. The blockade not only restricts fuel but also hampers the delivery of essential medical supplies, further endangering the lives of those still residing in northern Gaza.
Al-Nims highlighted that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly, with basic medical supplies like oxygen and anesthesia drugs in critically low supply. The Red Crescent continues to seek assistance from international organizations, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations, to facilitate the delivery of medical aid amidst the ongoing crisis.
In a related development, the Israeli military has obstructed efforts by the World Health Organization to evacuate critically ill patients from northern hospitals. The international organization Doctors Without Borders has raised alarms about the thousands of Palestinians trapped in Jabalia camp, where they face continuous attacks and are prevented from safely exiting the area. The organization has called on Israeli forces to halt their operations and ensure the safety of civilians and medical facilities.
As the situation escalates, the government media office in Gaza has declared that the conditions in hospitals have reached catastrophic levels, posing imminent threats to the lives of children in intensive care and endangering approximately 400,000 individuals in the region.
