As Gaza's Hospitals Shut Down, Children Bear The Brunt Of War

The head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has expressed that Gaza's Al-Shifa is no longer operating as a hospital due to the constant gunfire and bombings during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The conflict has worsened the already severe conditions in the hospital's vicinity.

The World Health Organization has issued a caution about the extremely precarious situation at Gaza's primary medical facility; a nearly total power outage, along with shortages of food and water.

Details On The Shutdown

As reported by BBC, Gaza's health ministry, under the administration of Hamas, has updated on the situation at Al-Shifa Hospital, reporting that approximately 2,300 individuals remain inside. The information was shared by the World Health Organization on X (formerly Twitter).

Ministry of Health update about the dire situation at Al-Shifa Hospital - received on 12 Nov:
🔹600-650 inpatients, 200-500 health workers and approximately 1500 internally displaced people still inside the hospital.
🔹Lack of power, water and food, putting lives at immediate… pic.twitter.com/3MQfKdpqlY

— WHO in occupied Palestinian territory (@WHOoPt) November 12, 2023

According to the update, there are approximately 600 to 650 inpatients, 200 to 500 health workers, and around 1,500 displaced individuals seeking refuge in the hospital. The critical shortage of power, water, and food at the facility is posing an immediate risk to lives.

The WHO reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire and emphasizes the need for the active protection of civilians and healthcare.

Meanwhile, Israel Opens Up On The Situation

During a media briefing, the Israeli military addressed the situation at Al-Shifa Hospital and its operations in the area. IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that Israel has established designated routes from hospitals in northern Gaza to the south and is in communication with Al-Shifa officials to offer assistance in safely transporting the sick and wounded. He also mentioned Israel's readiness to assist in evacuating babies from the site to another hospital.

Hagari reiterated an allegation that the IDF left 300 litres of fuel near the hospital overnight, but Hamas allegedly prevented the hospital from collecting it. In response, Hamas has denied impeding the collection of fuel.

Reportedly, according to a doctor at Al-Shifa Hospital, the 300 litres of fuel offered by Israel would only sustain power for approximately half an hour. The ongoing fuel shortage has resulted in a nearly complete electricity blackout at the hospital in recent days.

Dr Marwan Abu Saada, the head of surgery at Al-Shifa, explained that the hospital typically consumes 24,000 litres of fuel per day to operate its generators. Even with only one generator in operation, the hospital still needs 9,000 to 10,000 litres to function.

Israel-Hamas War

According to the Hamas government, the death toll in Gaza since the beginning of the current conflict has now reached 11,180. The reported casualties include 4,609 children and 3,100 women, with an additional 28,200 people injured.

The war broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7 after the Palestinian militant group attacked a music festival along the Gaza Strip and took over 250 people hostages of Israeli and other nationalities from across the world.

Suggested Reading: Who Is Rashida Tlaib? Congresswoman Accuses Biden Of 'Disregard' For Palestine Lives