Hospitals in Gaza Face Attacks and Mass Exodus as Conflict Rages On
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues in Gaza, hospitals have come under attack, prompting thousands of people, including patients and staff members, to flee for their safety. The situation has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with healthcare facilities struggling to provide medical assistance amid the ongoing violence.
Reports from Gaza’s largest medical center, Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, describe the chaos and danger that medical personnel and patients are facing. The hospital has been targeted by heavy shelling, causing panic among the staff and patients. Surgeon Sara AlSaqqa, who was working at the hospital, sent distressing messages stating, We evacuated and This is a nightmare.
The hospital’s plastic surgery department head, Dr. Ahmed Mokhallalati, warned that if fuel supplies to the generators running life-supporting equipment are not replenished soon, about 100 patients in critical condition, including those in the adult and neonatal intensive care units, could lose their lives.
The exact source of the attacks remains unclear, but verified videos showed Palestinians injured after explosions near the hospital. Another incident occurred at the hospital’s outpatient clinic, where injured individuals sought refuge.
Indonesia Hospital in northern Gaza was also subjected to attacks, with explosions occurring nearby. This hospital, which was established seven years ago as a symbol of cooperation and solidarity between Indonesia and the Palestinian people, now finds itself caught in the crossfire.
Meanwhile, at Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital in western Gaza, medical staff reported being barricaded inside the complex, unable to leave. The reasons behind the barricade remain uncertain, but the situation is dire as they are unable to provide essential medical services to patients. The hospital’s director urgently appealed to international organizations to protect the hospital’s workers and displaced individuals seeking shelter there.
In response to the escalating attacks on hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza, the International Red Cross (ICRC) demanded immediate protection for patients, healthcare workers, and medical facilities. William Schomburg, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Gaza, emphasized the urgent need to halt the destruction affecting hospitals, which is jeopardizing the lives of thousands.
While Israel maintains that Hamas uses civilians as shields, international organizations and human rights advocates have condemned the shellings, emphasizing that targeting civilians is against the laws of war. The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with over 11,000 reported deaths as of Friday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), regarding the allegations of targeting hospitals, stated that they do not shoot at hospitals but would take necessary action if Hamas terrorists were found within them. The IDF spokesperson reassured that precautions are being taken to avoid harm to innocent civilians.
Amidst the violence, some children with cancer and other blood disorders have been evacuated from Gaza for treatment, as medical supplies and access to healthcare have been severely disrupted by the conflict. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 122 children in Gaza were diagnosed with cancer in 2022, but the specialized hospitals providing care have been overwhelmed and undersupplied. The WHO emphasized the critical urgency of transferring patients outside of Gaza for life-saving treatment.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with hospitals under attack and medical services stretched to the limit. As the conflict continues, it is crucial for international organizations and world leaders to work toward a peaceful resolution and ensure the protection of innocent civilians, medical facilities, and healthcare workers in Gaza.
