The ongoing heavy fighting near Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis that has left patients and refugees trapped in horrific conditions. With depleted resources and limited access to essential supplies, the hospital’s staff and patients are facing unimaginable hardships.
The hospital, located in Gaza City, has run out of water, food, and electricity as a result of the continuous fighting in the surrounding streets. Although Israel claims that it has not fired on the hospital, clashes with Hamas nearby have made it extremely difficult to provide adequate care to the patients. To make matters worse, the hospital administration has been unable to bury the dead due to the ongoing fighting, resulting in bodies piling up without any means of proper burial.
As thousands of people seek refuge in Al-Shifa, the situation has become increasingly dire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accuse Hamas of operating from tunnels underneath the hospital, a claim that Hamas vehemently denies. The constant sounds of shooting and bombardments reverberate through the hospital, adding to the already precarious conditions. Surgeon Marwan Abu Saada, in an interview with the BBC, explained the challenges faced by the medical staff and the risks it poses to public health.
One of the gravest concerns is the lack of electricity, which has resulted in the deaths of two premature babies in incubators. Physicians for Human Rights Israel, a doctors’ group, warns that there are 37 other premature infants at risk if immediate assistance is not provided. The morgue refrigerator is also not functioning due to the generator running out of fuel, further complicating efforts to manage the deceased.
While Israel denies imposing a siege on Al-Shifa, it claims that the east side of the hospital is open for the safe passage of those who want to leave. Israel has also offered to help evacuate those in the pediatric department to a safer hospital, following a request from the hospital administration. However, the ongoing clashes and limited resources make this a highly challenging task.
International charities have expressed deep concern for the patients in hospitals close to the fighting in Gaza. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warns that, without a ceasefire, these hospitals will turn into graveyards. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reports that its teams are trapped inside Al-Quds hospital alongside 500 patients and around 14,000 displaced individuals. Additionally, the smaller Al-Rantisi hospital has largely been evacuated, leaving only a few patients and staff behind.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with more than 1.5 million people displaced since the start of the war. The UN’s agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) estimates the Gaza Strip’s population to be 2.2 million, making the scale of displacement alarming. The high number of casualties, including many children, has sparked international outrage. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an immediate ceasefire and urged other world leaders to join him in condemning the violence.
As the fighting continues, it is crucial for international organizations and governments to step in and provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the hospitals in Gaza. The immediate needs include medical supplies, fuel for generators, clean water, and food. The international community must work together to alleviate the suffering and prevent a further escalation of this devastating humanitarian crisis.
