Gaza's Al-Aqsa Hospital Empties as Israeli Operations Intensify
Central Gaza's main hospital faces evacuation amid Israeli military operations. Patients and displaced people flee, highlighting the dire healthcare situation in the conflict-torn region.
In a concerning development, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, is experiencing a mass exodus of patients and displaced individuals. This evacuation comes as Israeli military operations intensify in the area, despite no direct order to vacate the medical facility.
The hospital, serving as the primary healthcare center for central Gaza, has seen its patient count dwindle from over 600 to approximately 100, including critical cases in intensive care and pediatric wards. This situation underscores the severe strain on Gaza's healthcare system, with only 16 out of 36 hospitals partially operational as of August 2024.
Eyewitnesses report people fleeing on foot, carrying patients on stretchers and sick children in their arms. The scene is a stark reminder of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in one of the world's most densely populated areas.
"Where will we get medicine? Where will patients like me go?"
The Israeli military states that evacuation orders do not include hospitals or medical facilities. However, the proximity of military operations has sparked fear among patients and staff. Doctors Without Borders (MSF), which has been operating in Gaza since 1989, is considering suspending wound care services due to safety concerns.
This latest development occurs against the backdrop of a conflict that began in October 2023, resulting in over 40,000 Palestinian casualties. The war has exacerbated Gaza's pre-existing challenges, including a severe water crisis with 97% of water being undrinkable and chronic power shortages.
The situation at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reflects the broader issues facing Gaza's 2.3 million residents, half of whom are under 18. With 84% of Gaza's territory under evacuation orders, according to the UN, the population faces repeated displacement and inadequate access to essential services.
International organizations, including the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross, continue to highlight the dire healthcare situation in Gaza. As the conflict persists, the need for a lasting ceasefire and humanitarian access becomes increasingly urgent to address the mounting health crisis in this 41-kilometer-long coastal strip.
