**Gaza’s Hospitals in Crisis: “Conditions Beyond Descriptions”**
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a dire warning about the conditions in Gaza’s hospitals, describing them as “beyond descriptions”. The crisis was sparked by an Israeli air strike that rendered a major hospital facility unusable.
According to reports, al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City was hit by two missiles on Sunday, destroying its laboratory and damaging its emergency room. While there were no direct casualties from the attack, a child died as a result of the disruption in care. The hospital is run under the Church of England, and its bishops have expressed their “grief and sorrow” over the attack.
**Israel‘s Claims and Denials**
The Israeli military claimed that the strike was aimed at a “command and control centre” used by Hamas for planning attacks. However, Hamas has denied any military use of the hospital, calling the attack a “savage crime”.
**Humanitarian Crisis Deepens**
The WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the UN agency was informed by al Ahli’s Director that the emergency room and laboratory, as well as the emergency room X-ray machines and pharmacy, were “destroyed”. This has left 40 patients in critical condition unable to be moved.
International humanitarian law protects hospitals, and the WHO has called for an immediate end to attacks on healthcare facilities. The Israeli Foreign Ministry’s statement attempting to justify the attack has been met with skepticism by many, including the Church of England House of Bishops, who have expressed “dismay” that hospitals had become “battlegrounds” in Gaza.
**A Humanitarian Disaster Unfolds**
The crisis in Gaza is not just limited to hospital attacks. The Israeli blockade on the territory has led to critically low medical supplies, making it impossible for hospitals to provide adequate care. Medical Aid for Palestinians reported that al-Ahli Hospital can no longer accept new patients until repairs are completed, which would “heavily affect trauma patients”.
The shortage of medical supplies is a ticking time bomb, with Dr Peeperkorn stating that the WHO had stocked up some supplies in their warehouses during the recent truce but was not facilitating transfers from northern to southern Gaza. This has led to a situation where doctors are using the same surgical gowns and gloves for different operations.
**A Long-Standing Conflict**
The crisis in Gaza is part of a long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military launched an offensive to destroy Hamas as a response to a cross-border attack that took place on 7 October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 people dying and 251 being taken hostage.
Since then, more than 50,980 Palestinians have died in Gaza, with the latest ceasefire agreement failing to bring a permanent end to the conflict. Israel’s refusal to accept a proposal to extend the first phase of the agreement and release more hostages has led to the current stalemate.
**The Human Cost**
As the crisis deepens, the human cost is becoming increasingly evident. The WHO’s warning about hospital conditions should be a wake-up call for the international community to act swiftly to prevent further humanitarian disasters in Gaza.
It is imperative that all parties involved take immediate action to restore medical supplies and ensure the protection of healthcare facilities. The people of Gaza deserve better, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being.