KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip
Thousands of people have sought refuge in the largest hospital in the besieged territory of Gaza as they fear an imminent Israeli ground offensive. The UN shelters across Gaza have run out of water and overwhelmed doctors are struggling to care for patients with limited fuel for their generators.
Palestinian Civilians in Crisis
Palestinian civilians in Gaza, who have already suffered from years of conflict, are now facing an unprecedented Israeli operation. This comes after a Hamas militant attack on Oct. 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians.
Severe Blockade Imposed
Israel has imposed a severe blockade on Gaza, cutting off the flow of food, medicine, water, and electricity. In addition, airstrikes have targeted neighborhoods, leaving the estimated 1 million residents in the north with no choice but to flee south. As a result of the ongoing fighting, over 2,300 Palestinians have lost their lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Urgent Call for Protection
Relief groups are urgently calling for the protection of over 2 million civilians in Gaza. They are urging the establishment of an emergency corridor to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid.
High Danger for Patients
Dr. Mohammed Qandeel from Nasser Hospital in the southern Khan Younis area explains that the current escalation is particularly concerning because there is no medical aid coming in from outside. With the borders closed and electricity turned off, the lives of patients are at high risk.
Doctors Commit to Staying
Despite the danger, doctors in the evacuation zone have made a brave decision to stay with their patients. They cannot relocate them safely, so they have chosen to remain and provide care.
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, head of pediatrics at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, emphasizes their commitment: "We shall not evacuate the hospital even if it costs us our lives."
Gaza's Healthcare System on the Brink
The dire situation in Gaza's healthcare system is reaching a breaking point. As violence escalates, doctors are grappling with the challenge of caring for patients amidst a severe lack of resources. The overcrowded hospitals are struggling to accommodate the influx of wounded individuals, who arrive daily with life-threatening injuries.
Concerns are mounting for vulnerable patients who depend on ventilators and those with complex blast wounds that require constant attention. As fuel supplies dwindle, hospitals fear they may soon be forced to shut down, jeopardizing the lives of countless patients. According to United Nations humanitarian monitors, this grim scenario could unfold as early as Monday.
Shifa Hospital, located in the heart of the evacuation zone in Gaza City, is a microcosm of the unfolding crisis. Its sprawling grounds, hallways, and lobby are now packed with an estimated 35,000 men, women, and children seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict. However, even within these walls, their situation remains dire.
The hospital's medical officials report a steady stream of hundreds of wounded individuals seeking help every day. Meanwhile, outside the confines of the hospital, approximately half a million Gaza residents have sought shelter in U.N. facilities across the territory. Unfortunately, they too face a critical shortage of water. According to Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), Gaza is rapidly running dry.
In an effort to manage this crisis, U.N. teams have been forced to ration water. In the past 24 hours alone, a quarter of a million people have moved to U.N.-run schools- now serving as makeshift shelters- where clean water supplies have already been depleted. Desperate families across Gaza are now rationing their dwindling water supplies and are often left with no choice but to consume dirty or brackish water.
The gravity of the situation is best captured by Shaima al-Farra, a resident of Khan Younis, who joyfully expressed gratitude for being able to brush her teeth that day. It is a stark reminder of the lengths people in Gaza must now go to access even the most basic necessities. As the healthcare system teeters on the brink, the people of Gaza await desperately needed aid and relief.
