After a two-month truce, the hospital in Gaza sees an influx of wounded, particularly children, as violence resumes due to Israel's strikes on crowded shelters. The situation emphasizes the urgent need for medical supplies and effective response protocols.
Crisis in Gaza: The Return of Medical Chaos Amid Renewed Violence
Crisis in Gaza: The Return of Medical Chaos Amid Renewed Violence
Al Ahli Arab Hospital struggles to cope as casualties rise dramatically following the collapse of the ceasefire.
The crisis in Gaza has deepened following the collapse of the ceasefire last month, leading to a dramatic rise in casualties at Al Ahli Arab Hospital. Wounded civilians, many of them children, are arriving at the hospital in various conditions—some alone, others with family members, creating an urgent atmosphere of triage at the facility.
On Thursday, as Israel struck a school that had been converted into a shelter in Gaza City, at least 27 lives were lost according to the Gaza health ministry. Amid the chaos, makeshift tents have been set up to manage the crush of injured individuals seeking care, with medical staff triaging victims into three urgent categories: green for basic care, yellow for treatment in the hospital, and red for life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate surgical intervention.
However, the medical team faces a dire shortage of resources. With one of Gaza's two CT scanners rendered inoperable just days ago, many patients are left in critical need of complex treatments that can’t be administered. Experts point specifically to the vulnerability of children in densely populated areas severely affected by explosions, as recent conflicts have forced families to crowd into shelters, increasing their risk of injury.
The Israeli military, while acknowledging reports of the attack on the shelter, has yet to offer a detailed comment or conclusion. Accusations surround Hamas, claiming its forces are utilizing civilian spaces for military purposes, further complicating an already complex and tragic situation. Videos verified by The New York Times captured the harrowing aftermath as civilians rushed to aid the wounded, securing hope amidst despair in an already beleaguered region.
