Gaza hospitals face “real disaster” amid fuel shortages
Gaza’s Ministry of Health issued an urgent warning on January 8th that healthcare facilities across the region are facing a “real disaster” as fuel supplies are at a deficit. According to the New Arab, a ministry statement confirmed that hospital generators, crucial for maintaining vital services, would soon cease to function entirely.
The crisis has already reached alarming levels at hospitals including Al-Aqsa, Gaza European, and Nasser Medical Complex, with healthcare professionals fearing an impending disaster.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) voiced grave concern over the situation, describing Gaza’s hospitals as “death traps” in light of continuous attacks and dwindling resources. The organisation pointed out that the increasing cold weather is worsening conditions for the people of Gaza. As of now, only 14 out of 36 hospitals remain partially operational, with three medical facilities in northern Gaza severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes.
The crisis has prompted calls for international intervention, with the UK’s Minister of State for Development, Anneliese Dodds, urging Israel to reverse its decision to ban UNRWA’s activities. Dodds affirmed UNRWA’s importance, and said “there is no doubt that there is no other organisation that can provide aid and services as UNRWA does.”
The humanitarian disaster is deepening as Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate Gaza, killing at least 28 Palestinians on January 8th, including ten members of one family in central Gaza. This attack follows the death of 49 Palestinians, including children seeking refuge in so-called “safe zones,” on January 7th.
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Healthcare workers have also been targeted, with the killing of Dr. Thabat Salim, a neonatal specialist, during an Israeli airstrike on January 3rd. The International Planned Parenthood Federation condemned the attack. Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, the organisation’s director-general, accused the US government of enabling further violence by providing military aid to Israel. Bermejo stated, “These funds, meant for military support, translate into more murdered doctors, and many more murdered women and children.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a medical director from Gaza, remains detained by Israeli forces after they attacked Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Despite calls from medical professionals worldwide for his release, Abu Safiya is being held, with no access to legal representation until at least January 10th.
Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza has claimed at least 45,885 Palestinian lives and injured over 109,196 people since October 2023. The ongoing attacks, coupled with severe shortages in medical supplies and personnel, have plunged Gaza into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The New Arab.
