GAZA: Gaza’s largest hospital has stopped functioning, the World Health Organization said as hundreds of patients remain trapped at this latest focal point of Israel-Hamas ground battle in the blockaded Palestinian territory.
All hospitals in northern Gaza Strip are now “out of service”, the Hamas-run health ministry said today.
“The WHO has managed to get in touch with health professionals at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza…the hospital is not functioning as a hospital anymore, said WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The world cannot stand silent while hospitals, which should be safe havens, are transformed into scenes of death, devastation, and despair.”
The situation remains grim in north Gaza where hospitals are blockaded by Israeli forces and are not able to provide care to those inside. At least six babies and nine other patients have died at Al-Shifa hospital that suffered fuel shortages, the Hamas-run health ministry said.
At least two newborns died at the hospital while more are at risk due to power outages, Reuters reported citing medical staff.
Thousands of Gazans have sought shelter around the Al-Shifa hospital as the battle continued in surrounding areas.
The Al-Quds hospital in Gaza City too is out of service due to lack of generator fuel, said Palestinian Red Crescent.
Around 3,000 patients and staff are trapped at the hospital complex without adequate water and food, said the UN agencies. Besides two incubated babies, a man too died after his ventilator shut down due to power cut.
“It’s been three days without electricity, without water and with very poor internet which has severely impacted our ability to provide essential care,” said the WHO head.
More than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. About 2,700 people have been reported missing and are thought to be trapped or dead under the rubble.
Tamara Alrifai, the Director of External Relations and Communications at The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA), spoke with IANS on Sunday and expressed deep concern over the large-scale displacement of people and the dire condition of hospitals, emphasising the catastrophic impact on the local population.
In the interview with the news agency, Alrifai revealed that hospitals in Gaza are grappling with a critical fuel shortage, causing essential medical equipment such as incubators to cease functioning. The lack of fuel is hindering the overall functionality of healthcare facilities, aggravating an already precarious situation.
Alrifai outlined the challenges faced by UNRWA in delivering aid in Gaza, stating that out of their 13,000 staff members in the region, only around 5,000 are currently able to work in the field. Despite these difficulties, UNRWA is actively providing assistance, including food distribution and medical aid through mobile clinics.
UNRWA has lost 101 members due to the ongoing conflict. Alrifai expressed condolences and concern for the families and friends of the colleagues who lost their lives, highlighting the urgency of ensuring the safety and security of UNRWA staff.
She criticized the inadequacy of the aid received so far, urging international agencies and governments to increase the supply of essential materials. The closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing has exacerbated the situation, limiting the inflow of aid. Additionally, a severe fuel shortage is impacting not only healthcare but also water treatment facilities, leading to the use of contaminated water.
Alrifai confirmed reports of a massive displacement crisis in Gaza, with over 700,000 displaced individuals seeking refuge in UNRWA schools and shelters.
The limited space available adds to the urgency of addressing the forced displacements occurring in the region.
As the genocide in Gaza intensifies, the plea for increased humanitarian assistance and intervention grows louder, emphasising the need for swift and effective measures to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.
