Crisis in Gaza's hospitals reached critical level - UN
Illustrative photo: the crisis in Gaza hospitals has reached a critical level (Getty Images)
Humanitarian organizations have described the medical crisis in hospitals in the Gaza Strip as "extremely critical." A mobile medical team reported untreated open wounds, lack of food, and basic medical supplies, including surgical gauze and materials for fracture fixation, reports The Guardian.
An emergency medical team, organized by three humanitarian groups, provided medical assistance at the European Hospital near Khan Younis for two weeks and noted the worsening situation. They reported that medical workers were either forced to evacuate or lacked access to the hospital.
Since the beginning of the year, fierce fighting has been raging between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in the southern city. Warnings about dire medical conditions came when Israel decided to cease cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip.
David Mencer, an Israeli representative, stated in his announcement that "UNRWA are part of the problem, and we will now stop working with them. We are actively phasing out the use of Unrwa because they perpetuate the conflict rather than try and alleviate the conflict."
It is emphasized that restrictions imposed by Israel have led to a shortage of essential medical supplies.
Arrived surgeons reported large infected open wounds in patients and a lack of food. Specialists also noted that about 22,000 people displaced from other parts of Gaza were sheltering in hospital corridors and tents.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip territory. In the initial days, militants killed 1,200 civilians and soldiers and abducted around 250 people. Following this, the Israel Defense Forces initiated a ground military operation.
The country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, outlined the primary goal of the operation as the complete destruction of Hamas and the liberation of hostages. He also declared that Israel's victory was imminent, and the IDF was prepared to invade the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Subsequently, Egypt threatened to suspend a key peace treaty with Israel.
Additionally, on March 12, a Hamas representative announced the acceptance of a modified version of the American proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. Representatives of the movement planned to travel to Cairo to discuss the final details and implementation of the agreement.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel remained elusive. US President Joe Biden warned Israel against an invasion of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
However, on March 17, Netanyahu announced that the military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip would continue. The IDF also plans to conduct a ground operation in Rafah.
Furthermore, in northern Gaza, over 1.1 million people are experiencing conditions resembling famine. According to the UN, such a development is inevitable and could begin as early as May and extend throughout the enclave until July.
Incidentally, Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Galant, in response to the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza, stated that Israel would not cease its advance against Hamas.
