The Catastrophic Situation in Gaza
Charities have launched a warning about the “horrific” situation in Gaza after more than two months of war between Israel and Hamas, warning of hunger and the spread of diseases. In a video conference with journalists this week, international organizations described the situation in the Gaza Strip as a “disaster” and “terrifying,” warning of irreversible consequences for the Palestinian people. Bushra Khaldi from Oxfam, a UK-based charity, added that “safe areas for Israel within Gaza are merely an illusion.”
Destruction and Healthcare Shortages
Israel launched a massive military campaign against Gaza following the incursion of Hamas fighters into Israel’s southern border on October 7, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 hostages. The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza states that 17,487 people have been killed in the war, which has forced around 1.9 million residents of the enclave to flee and led to the destruction of vast areas.
Shortages of Healthcare and Aid
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), only 14 of the 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are operating at limited capacity, making it difficult for aid to reach those in need. Alexandra Saieh from Save the Children stated that “those who survived the bombardment now face the risk of death from hunger and diseases,” adding that they suffer from worm-infested wounds and undergo amputations without anesthesia, gathering in hundreds waiting to use “one toilet” or wandering the streets searching for food.
Israeli Bombardments and Shortages of Medical Supplies
After a week-long halt in hostilities, Israel resumed bombings and ground attacks, determined to eliminate Hamas. The Israeli army published a map that it claimed aimed to enable Gaza residents to “evacuate from specific areas to ensure their safety if necessary.” Hundreds of thousands of civilians fled northern Gaza in search of shelter in the south, but they reported being bombarded there as well. Shaina Lo from the Norwegian Refugee Council stated that there are no safe places in Gaza, which we have seen since the Israeli directive urged people to flee from northern Gaza to the south. She added that “Israeli directives forcing Palestinians into crowded areas in southern Gaza, without guarantees of safety or return, constitute a gross violation of international humanitarian law.”
Deteriorating Health and Food Conditions
UN agencies have repeatedly warned of the deteriorating health and food conditions in Gaza, and the collapse of public order if a ceasefire is not reached. The World Food Program stated that the risk of “famine” is high, while the World Health Organization warned of a collapse of civilization in Gaza. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that “due to the living conditions and lack of healthcare, more people may die from diseases than from bombardment” in Gaza. He warned of a number of diseases and epidemics, including acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin rash, and chickenpox, which have emerged due to overcrowding, lack of food, water, essential hygiene, and access to medicine. Chiara Sicardi from Action Against Hunger stated that “the situation is gnawing at people’s dignity as they cannot clean themselves or their children,” calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the urgent sending of aid.
Escalating Violence and Random Massacres
Hospitals in Gaza are also witnessing a catastrophic state, as Isabel DePourny, head of Doctors Without Borders, stated that they have been operating at Al-Aqsa Hospital, receiving an average of 150 to 200 injured patients daily since the beginning of December. On one day this week, “they received more dead than injured. The hospital is overcrowded, the morgue is crammed, and fuel and medical supplies have critically dropped to a low level,” according to DePourny.
Neglect
Israel for Medical Facilities in Gaza
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the deteriorating health and food conditions in Gaza and the collapse of public order if a ceasefire is not reached. The World Food Program stated that the risk of “famine” is high, while the World Health Organization warned of the collapse of civilization in Gaza. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, said that “due to living conditions and lack of healthcare, more people might die from diseases rather than bombardments” in Gaza. He warned of several diseases and epidemics, including acute respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin rashes, and chickenpox, which have emerged due to overcrowding, lack of food, water, basic hygiene, and access to medicine. Chiara Sacardi from the organization “Action Against Hunger” stated that “the situation is gnawing at people’s dignity as they cannot clean themselves or their children,” and called for a ceasefire in Gaza and urgent aid to be sent.
Violent Escalation and Random Massacres
Hospitals in Gaza are also in a catastrophic state, with Isabelle Dufourny, the head of Doctors Without Borders, stating that they are working in Al-Aqsa Hospital and receiving an average of 150 to 200 wounded patients daily since the beginning of December. On one day this week, “they received more dead than injured. The hospital is overcrowded, the morgue is overflowing, and fuel and medical supplies have fallen to critically low levels,” according to Dufourny.
Israel’s Disregard for Medical Facilities in Gaza
Israel has shown complete disregard for the protection of medical facilities in Gaza, according to Dufourny. UN agencies have repeatedly warned of the deteriorating health and food conditions in Gaza and the collapse of public order if a ceasefire is not reached. Dufourny stated that “Israel has shown complete disregard for the protection of medical facilities in Gaza.”
UN Warnings
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of the deteriorating health and food conditions in Gaza and the collapse of public order if a ceasefire is not reached. Dufourny stated that “Israel has shown complete disregard for the protection of medical facilities in Gaza.”
Call for Ceasefire and Urgent Aid
Chiara Sacardi from “Action Against Hunger” pointed out that “the situation is gnawing at people’s dignity as they cannot clean themselves or their children,” and called for a ceasefire in Gaza and urgent aid to be sent.
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