The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip confirmed that 80% of the Strip’s hospitals are out of service due to the repercussions of the Israeli war and its destruction.
The Ministry also condemned “the heinous crime committed by the occupation forces when they bombed the Turkish Friendship Hospital, the only hospital dedicated to treating cancer patients in the Gaza Strip.”
The Ministry noted that the hospital was destroyed after the occupation forces had used it as a headquarters for their forces throughout their occupation of the so-called Netzarim axis.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health asserted that “this criminal behavior by the occupation forces is consistent with the systematic destruction of the health system and a continuation of the cycle of genocide.”
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that medical facilities in the Gaza Strip are suffering from “extreme pressure” beyond their capacity, in light of Israel’s resumption of its war on the Strip. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization reported a severe shortage of medicines.
Tommaso Della Longa, a spokesman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said in Geneva that Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) staff reported last Tuesday that “many health facilities across Gaza are literally overwhelmed.”
Della Longa said that health facilities are suffering from a high number of patients and pressure amid dwindling supplies. “There is a shortage of food, supplies, and fuel,” he said.
He added that PRCS teams are assessing the impact of the fuel shortage on ambulance services and the ability of paramedics to reach those in need.
For his part, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesman Tarik Jasarevic warned of depleting stocks of medicines. “Unfortunately, due to this shortage of medicines, there is a risk that health workers will not be able to treat a variety of medical conditions, not just injuries,” he said.
Jasarevic said that many supplies are running out. He explained that the WHO has 16 trucks waiting at the Al-Arish crossing on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza while essential medical supplies are being purchased.
For its part, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that its teams received a large influx of wounded at its field hospital, clinic, and Nasser Hospital.
“The types of injuries are extremely difficult,” said Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, the organization’s deputy medical coordinator in southern Gaza. “They range from amputations to complex orthopedic cases and burns.”
He added that “hospitals are unable to cope with the large number of casualties they received at once.”
“It was absolutely terrifying for 20 minutes, with bombs falling everywhere,” said Claire Nicolet, MSF’s head of emergency medicine, who is currently in Gaza. “People here are very scared. Of course, they saw this as a full-scale resumption of fighting, and they are very afraid of what will happen next.”
