Gaza hospitals on emergency-only status

As fuel supplies teeter on the brink of depletion UN facilities are grappling with a surge of 600,000 displaced Palestinians, straining their capacity.

The health ministry, under the control of Hamas in Gaza, has reported over 700 casualties due to Israeli airstrikes, which have persisted for two consecutive days. Israel maintains that the targets of these airstrikes are primarily Hamas fighters and their infrastructure. This military response was triggered by a large-scale cross-border assault on 7th October, leading to over 1,400 casualties and 222 hostages. Israel, along with the UK, the US, and other nations, designates Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Fuel deliveries to Gaza have been obstructed by Israel, citing fears that the fuel could be diverted by Hamas for military purposes. Israel accuses Hamas of hoarding diesel, refusing to distribute it.

Gaza’s hospitals, facing a dire situation, have taken the painful decision to close down all departments except emergency rooms to conserve fuel for life-saving equipment like ventilators, incubators, and dialysis machines.

As the situation worsens, healthcare facilities are at risk of collapsing. The World Health Organisation’s representative, Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, warns that UN-supported hospitals are operating generators at minimal levels for critical operations.

Gaza’s electricity has been sporadic since Israel halted its supply in response to the Hamas attacks. With the sole power station running out of fuel on 11th October, backup generators are the only source of electricity.

Aid groups and medical professionals in Gaza are sounding the alarm, emphasising that more lives are at risk if essential equipment fails due to the absence of electricity. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), overseeing the largest humanitarian operation in Gaza, has declared it will cease operations if additional fuel supplies aren’t secured by Wednesday night.