At Risk: 130 Premature Babies in Gaza Hospitals Face Electricity Shortages
The lives of 130 premature babies hang in the balance as hospitals in Gaza face a critical shortage of electricity, according to doctors. The ongoing conflict in the region has already claimed the lives of thousands, with children being the most affected. Amidst the chaos, these vulnerable infants have been clinging to life in incubators, which are at risk of shutting down without electricity.
Dr. Medhat Abbas, the director of Gaza’s Health Ministry, warns that if electricity is cut off, all 130 premature babies currently relying on incubators will perish. Al Shifa, the largest hospital in Gaza city, is struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of patients, exacerbated by shortages of medicine, staffing, and a rising number of wounded.
Other hospitals, including Al Aqsa, Nasr Pediatric Hospital, and the Emirati hospital, are also treating premature babies who are dependent on incubators. Tragically, many of these infants have been orphaned due to the conflict.
Limited aid, including fuel, has been allowed into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. However, it is not sufficient to meet the growing critical needs of hospitals. With fuel reserves estimated to run out in three days, several hospitals are already out of service.
The dire situation is exacerbated by the damage inflicted on hospitals by Israeli airstrikes, further compromising healthcare services. For instance, the Emirati Field Hospital and the church-run Al Ahli Arab hospital have been targeted, resulting in numerous casualties.
The ongoing blockade by Israel, which cut off water, electricity, and fuel to Gaza following a Hamas attack, has compounded the crisis. The situation has led to a severe shortage of supplies and has forced Palestinian doctors to perform surgeries without anesthesia and care for patients in hallways and on floors.
As the conflict escalates, more women are giving birth prematurely due to the stress and trauma they endure. Nisma Hajjaj, who fled from Gaza city to Nusseirate, gave birth early, and her baby is now in an incubator. She expresses deep concern over the shortage of fuel, which threatens the life of her child.
The international community is urged to intervene and demand that Israel urgently allows the entry of fuel into Gaza’s hospitals. Medical Aid for Palestinians chief executive Melanie Ward emphasizes the need for world leaders to act swiftly, as failure to do so will result in the loss of innocent lives.
The war in Gaza has sparked outrage globally, with the UN and human rights groups condemning Israel’s response as collective punishment. The deteriorating situation has led to waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and a worsening humanitarian crisis as food and water become scarce.
As the conflict rages on, it is essential to find an immediate solution to ensure the survival of the newborn babies and address the critical shortages of medicine and materials. The lives of these vulnerable infants depend on swift action from the international community.
The heart-wrenching images and videos of dead and injured children circulating on social media further highlight the urgency and severity of the situation. In the previous 24 hours alone, more than 100 children were killed in Israeli airstrikes, paving the way for an anticipated ground invasion.
While Israeli authorities have urged civilians to seek shelter in the south, many people have refused or returned north, believing there is no safe haven in Gaza. The harrowing reality faced by innocent civilians underscores the need for a resolution to end the violence and restore peace to the region.
The lives of these premature babies hang in the balance, their survival contingent on immediate action and international assistance. The urgency of the situation cannot be underestimated, as time runs out for the most vulnerable victims of the conflict in Gaza.
