Gaza ‘Left Alone’ As Hospitals Run Out of Fuel
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A spokesperson for the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said Gaza has been “left alone” to deal with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as 16 out of 35 hospitals are out of service and more are running out of fuel.
Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for PRCS, emphasized the urgent need for international intervention, stating, "The international community must allow the entry of non-stop humanitarian aid in Gaza, including fuel."
Despite facing severe shortages of medicines and fuel, al-Quds Hospital, managed by PRCS, continues to operate. However, the northern part of the Strip has received no aid, and the south has seen only limited supplies.
Israel has thus far opposed the entry of fuel into Gaza, which is essential for powering hospital generators, ambulances, and aid vehicles. Farsakh stressed, "Fuel means life now. We are hours from a complete shutdown of all hospitals."
As Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip intensifies from north to south, the southern region, designated as a safe zone for evacuees, has experienced heavy artillery shelling. The situation represents a significant threat to hospitals and healthcare facilities.
The main roads leading to al-Shifa Hospital have been targeted in bombings. In a recent development, the al-Rantisi specialized hospital for children with cancer was urgently warned by the Israeli army to evacuate. Evacuation under such circumstances, with 1,000 people in the facility, is extremely challenging.
Despite enduring ongoing trauma from airstrikes, Israel continues to attack Gaza relentlessly. The United Nations' health agency reported that some doctors in Gaza are performing surgeries, including amputations, without anesthesia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a lifting of restrictions on medical aid and revealed that more than 16 healthcare workers have "died on duty while taking care of those injured and diseased."
"These are the people keeping the health system going through the dedication they have somehow found a way to keep some level of service going," said the WHO's Christian Lindmeier during a press briefing.
The crisis in Gaza has resulted in over 10,000 Palestinian fatalities since October 7. Several countries have labeled Israel's intense bombardments and actions in Gaza as a "genocide." Additionally, an Israeli minister suggested that a nuclear option might be "one way" to address the situation.
