The Palestinian Red Crescent reported on Monday that Israeli military vehicles and tanks are stationed around Al-Quds Hospital in the Gaza Strip, amidst sounds of ongoing bombing. This deployment coincides with preparations to evacuate the hospital, which includes patients, wounded individuals, medical staff, and accompanying persons.
The presence of Israeli forces around Al-Quds Hospital adds to the existing health crisis in Gaza. Earlier, the Palestinian Ministry of Health declared that all hospitals in northern Gaza were out of service due to the intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters. This situation is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Red Crescent’s statement, posted on their Facebook page, highlights the dire circumstances faced by the hospitals in Gaza. The Red Crescent appealed through Al Arabiya for international support to sustain the operational hospitals in Gaza. The health situation is further complicated by the deaths of infants and patients due to power outages at Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest hospital, which is also facing an Israeli blockade and continuous bombing.
Youssef Abu Al-Reesh, Deputy Minister of Health in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, told France Press Agency about the critical loss of life, including premature infants and patients in intensive care, due to the power outage at Al-Shifa Hospital. The situation at Al-Shifa is desperate, with hundreds of bodies lying in front of the emergency department, unable to be buried due to the Israeli siege. The hospital lacks basic necessities like electricity, water, operating rooms, blood labs, X-ray facilities, and is barely able to support premature infants.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, described the situation in Gaza as “severe and distressing,” with a significant increase in patient deaths at Al-Shifa Hospital. He emphasized that continuous gunfire has worsened the already critical conditions at the hospital. The WHO has struggled to maintain basic care in the hospital due to three days without electricity and water, and poor internet services severely affecting their operational capacity.
In a contrasting statement, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hegari earlier claimed that the army tried to supply Al-Shifa Hospital with about 300 liters of fuel to run its electricity, but Hamas “prevented the hospital from receiving it.” This statement highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding the situation in Gaza, where hospitals have become centers of distress and struggle.
The situation in Gaza, particularly around Al-Quds Hospital, reflects the broader conflict’s impact on healthcare and civilian life. The international community’s response and support are crucial in these trying times, as the healthcare infrastructure in Gaza faces unprecedented challenges amid ongoing military actions.
