The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has severely disrupted medical services, with hospitals in the northern region struggling to treat the injured and sick amidst continuous Israeli operations. The renewed military offensive has forced tens of thousands to flee, creating chaos for sick and injured Palestinians. Many medical facilities are trapped in Israeli-imposed evacuation zones, while others face shortages of fuel and medical supplies.
In a tragic escalation, at least 17 people, including 11 children, were killed in an early morning Israeli airstrike on a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Later, 25 more people were killed and 53 wounded in an Israeli strike near the Al-Awda school in Khan Yunis, which was being used as a shelter for displaced individuals. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not confirmed these attacks but stated compliance with international law.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that hospitals like al-Ahli and the Patient's Friends Benevolent Society have been nearly non-functional due to the conflict. Patients have been forced to evacuate, with some being referred to already overwhelmed hospitals such as Kamal Adwan and Indonesia hospitals. The Palestinian Red Crescent has also declared all its medical centers in Gaza City out of service due to violent evacuation measures.
Despite the IDF's denial of targeting hospitals for evacuation, the situation on the ground tells a different story. The IDF maintains that hospitals do not need to be evacuated, although a significant portion of the city's population has been ordered to evacuate. The conflict has led to severe shortages of medical supplies and fuel for generators, pushing Gaza's healthcare system to the brink of collapse.
Negotiations for a ceasefire continue, with US negotiators resuming talks in the Middle East. However, hopes for an early breakthrough are dim as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on the right to resume fighting under any agreement. The delegation includes CIA Director William J. Burns and Brett McGurk, President Joe Biden's Middle East and North Africa coordinator, who are meeting with Egyptian, Israeli, and Jordanian counterparts.
The conflict has also seen international repercussions. Australia has appointed a special envoy to combat anti-Semitism, and a Hezbollah member was killed in a drone attack near Damascus, leading to retaliatory rocket fire from Hezbollah. Syrian state media reported Israeli bombings in the coastal town of Baniyas, causing material losses.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 38,000 deaths and 88,000 injuries since the war began, with most casualties being women and children. Israel estimates around 1,200 deaths from the October 7 Hamas attack, including more than 300 soldiers.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is exacerbated by the ongoing military operations. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are fleeing the fighting, with many seeking refuge in already overcrowded and under-resourced areas. The UN and various NGOs have expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation, as displaced individuals struggle with a lack of infrastructure and access to aid.
Israeli military operations continue to target what they describe as terrorist activities, with numerous strikes on schools and residential areas. The conflict has entered its tenth month, with Israel vowing to dismantle Hamas, which it accuses of using civilian structures for military purposes. Hamas denies these accusations, asserting that their fighters are not hiding in civilian infrastructure.
