GAZA: In the conflict-ridden Gaza, medical professionals reported on Tuesday that in addition to the war-related injuries, hundreds of patients are flooding hospitals with symptoms of illnesses stemming from severe overcrowding and poor sanitation conditions in the shelters. This distressing situation is a direct result of the most intense Israeli bombing campaign ever experienced in the region.
The overcrowding and unsanitary conditions have emerged due to the mass displacement of over 1.4 million individuals who have sought refuge in temporary shelters. The unprecedented bombardment by Israeli forces targeting civilian populations has forced a large number of residents to flee their homes, adding immense pressure to already strained facilities.
Numerous humanitarian organizations have consistently expressed concerns about the looming public health crisis in this densely populated Palestinian area. The situation has been exacerbated by Israel’s directive for everyone residing in the northern half of the 45-kilometer-long Gaza Strip to move south, which has led to the destruction of districts across the enclave.
Adding to the challenges, all hospitals are grappling with fuel shortages to power their generators. Doctors have cautioned that essential equipment, such as incubators for newborns, is at risk of failure.
The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that 40 medical centers had to suspend operations at a time when the population’s displacement and the ongoing bombardment are increasing stress on the healthcare system.
Gaza continues to be under an Israeli blockade, which has resulted in shortages of electricity, clean water, and fuel. Only limited amounts of food and medical aid provided by the United Nations have been able to enter the region.
Nahed Abu Taaema, a public health doctor at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, pointed out, “The overcrowding of civilians and the fact that most schools used as shelters are housing large numbers of people create conditions that are highly conducive to the spread of diseases.”
Despite Hamas releasing elderly hostages on Monday night, officials from the Gaza health ministry revealed on Tuesday that at least 704 people lost their lives due to Israeli strikes in the besieged territory in the last 24 hours, with over 140 fatalities occurring overnight. The relentless bombing has persisted, particularly in the Rafah and Khan Younis areas.
The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s attacks on Gaza has now exceeded 5,791, including 2,360 children and 1,292 women, while 16,297 others have sustained injuries, according to the Health Ministry.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Abu Isheba remarked, “This has pushed hospitals here to the brink of collapse. Hospitals in this region have never witnessed this level of injuries before.”
Even before the latest Israeli bombing campaign, which began on October 7 following deadly Hamas attacks inside Israel, more than 60% of Gaza residents were already reliant on food aid.
