Over 34 Palestinians have perished in Gaza shortly after sunrise.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, at least 34 lives have been claimed since Saturday morning, as reported by Palestinian health sources.
Hospitals in Gaza, already on the brink, are struggling to cope. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received at least 15 bodies, while Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City received seven. Tragedy strikes again at al-Akhawah, where six lives were lost while waiting near an aid point. Bodies were retrieved from various parts of the city.
Arrests and Crackdowns
Amidst the chaos, Israeli forces have been relentless in their crackdown. Eight Palestinians were arrested in Hebron district, as per reports by Wafa news agency. Five were detained near a water spring in Nahalin Town, west of Bethlehem. Two brothers met their fate while tending to their livestock near their home, and another person was nabbed from Ash-Shuyukh Town, northeast of Hebron.
Looming Threat of Famine
Health sources and aid agencies have issued dire warnings about Gaza's food supply and its health system. The severity of the blockade imposed by Israel in March has brought the prospect of famine alarmingly close. Food, medicine, and fuel are scarce, with aid distribution hubs coming to a halt after Israeli forces opened fire near the sites last month.
Health services in Gaza are on the verge of collapse. WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has expressed deep concern, stating that Nasser Hospital and Al-Amal Hospital in southern Gaza are "at risk of becoming non-functional." He further elaborated, "Gaza's health system is collapsing, with Nasser Medical Complex--the most important referral hospital left--and Al-Amal Hospital at risk of becoming non-functional."
In Due TimeWithout Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital, people will lose access to essential healthcare services. Ghebreyesus pointed out that if these hospitals cease to function, "the hospitals going out of service would have dire consequences for patients in need of surgical care, intensive care, blood bank and transfusion services, cancer care, and dialysis." He strongly condemned the "relentless and systematic decimation of hospitals in Gaza" and called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, along with the release of hostages.
The two hospitals are operating near the evacuation zone announced on June 2, but Israeli authorities have warned that access routes leading to both hospitals will be blocked, making safe access for new patients and staff extremely difficult, if not impossible. The potential closure of these hospitals would have catastrophic effects on the already strained healthcare system in Gaza.
A Stroke of Misfortune
Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital, the last functioning public hospitals in Khan Younis, are facing severe challenges due to movement restrictions and displacement orders imposed by Israeli authorities. Nasser Hospital, specifically, is the last referral hospital in southern Gaza, serving as a crucial lifeline for medical care in the region. The hospitals are operating above capacity due to the influx of patients with life-threatening injuries. The inability to access these facilities safely poses a significant risk of them becoming non-functional, especially if the situation worsens.
The potential closure of these hospitals would lead to a loss of critical services such as surgical care, intensive care, blood banks, transfusion services, cancer care, and dialysis. It would further exacerbate the already vulnerable healthcare system in Gaza, potentially contributing to a widespread humanitarian crisis. The consequences of this closure are dire, and urgent action is needed to prevent unnecessary loss of life and suffering.
- The dire predictions of health sources and aid agencies suggest that the ongoing blockade in Gaza could potentially lead to a devastating famine.
- Amidst the ongoing crisis, reports indicate that Israeli forces have been making numerous arrests, with eight Palestinians arrested in Hebron district alone.
- As the conflict continues, the WHO Director has expressed deep concern over the state of healthcare in Gaza, particularly the risk of Nasser Medical Complex and Al-Amal Hospital losing functionality.
- In a recent stroke of misfortune, Nasser Hospital, the last referral hospital in southern Gaza, is facing severe challenges due to movement restrictions and displacement orders, potentially risking its continued operation.
- The potential closure of these hospitals could have catastrophic effects on the already strained healthcare system in Gaza, potentially contributing to a widespread humanitarian crisis and necessitating urgent action to prevent unnecessary loss of life and suffering.
