Medical professionals visiting Gaza hospital shocked by impact on Palestinian children

An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza were shocked by the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children. One toddler died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike, while his cousin, an infant, is still fighting for her life with part of her face blown off. Another 10-year-old boy screamed for his parents, not knowing they were killed in the strike. The hospitals in Gaza have been decimated after nearly six months of war, leaving limited supplies and staff to care for an overwhelming number of patients.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah is one of the hospitals that has been struggling to cope with the influx of patients, many of whom are children. The hospital is overcrowded, with patients being treated in corridors, on beds, mattresses, or on blankets on the floor. Before the war, the hospital had a capacity of 160 beds, but now there are around 800 patients. Many of the hospital’s 120 staff members are unable to come to work, adding to the strain on the remaining workers.

Hospitals in Gaza have special protections under international law, but those protections can be removed if combatants use them for military purposes. Israel has alleged that hospitals serve as command centers, weapons storage facilities, and hideouts for Hamas, but Hamas has denied the allegations. While Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital has not been raided by Israeli troops, the surrounding areas have been targeted, sometimes causing strikes close to the hospital. The ongoing bombardment and offensive in Gaza have killed thousands and wounded many more, with a large number of casualties being women and children.

The war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas and other militants attacking southern Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages being taken. Israel has been accused of severely limiting the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza in the early stages of the war. While the flow of aid has increased, there are still challenges in getting supplies into Gaza due to inspection procedures at the border. Hospitals like Al-Aqsa Martyrs are facing a shortage of spare parts and anaesthetics, leading to surgeries and procedures being performed without painkillers. The only solution to Gaza’s healthcare crisis is for the war to stop, according to doctors in the area.

Despite the challenges faced by hospitals in Gaza, health care workers are dedicated to caring for patients and trying to provide the best care possible under difficult circumstances. The international community has called on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza and to end the conflict to prevent further suffering and loss of life. The ongoing war has had a devastating impact on the health sector in Gaza, with hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of patients and limited resources.