An international team of doctors visited a hospital in central Gaza where they were shocked by the impact that Israel’s war against Hamas was having on Palestinian children. One toddler died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike, while his infant cousin was fighting for her life with significant injuries. The doctors also encountered a 10-year-old boy who had lost his parents in the strike, as well as his sister who was severely burned. The devastation faced by these children left the doctors stunned.
Gaza’s health sector has been decimated after nearly six months of war, with roughly a dozen of the 36 hospitals in the region functioning only partially or not at all. Hospitals like Al-Aqsa Martyrs are now caring for an overwhelming number of patients with limited staff and supplies. The majority of the intensive care unit beds are occupied by children, including infants wrapped in bandages and wearing oxygen masks. The hospital is struggling to keep up with the high number of patients and limited resources.
Amid the ongoing war, hospitals like Al-Aqsa Martyrs are facing overcrowding and staff shortages. Many health care workers in Gaza also struggle to find food for their families and ensure their safety. Thousands of people displaced by the war are living in hospitals, hoping for safety and protection, although international law mandates that hospitals should be protected. Israel has accused hospitals of being used by Hamas for military purposes, but little evidence has been presented to support these claims.
Israel’s bombardment and offensive in Gaza have led to thousands of Palestinian casualties, with more than 32,000 people killed and nearly 75,000 wounded. The ongoing conflict has taken a particular toll on women and children, with two-thirds of those killed in Gaza being non-combatants. Roughly half of Gaza’s population is under 17 years old, further highlighting the impact on children in the region. Israel holds Hamas responsible for civilian casualties, as militants operate from within civilian areas.
The international community has called for increased aid and humanitarian assistance to Gaza, as the war has caused significant shortages in food, fuel, and medical supplies. Aid organizations have faced challenges in delivering assistance due to inspection procedures at the border, ongoing fighting, and a breakdown in public order. Hospitals like Al-Aqsa Martyrs have struggled with a shortage of medical equipment and anesthetics, leading to surgeries and procedures being performed without painkillers. The only solution to Gaza’s healthcare crisis, according to doctors like Tanya Haj-Hassan, is for the war to end.
Despite the challenges faced by hospitals in Gaza, healthcare workers like Haj-Hassan, Mustafa Abu Qassim, and their colleagues continue to provide care under difficult circumstances. The ongoing conflict and siege in Gaza have taken a significant toll on the health sector, leaving hospitals struggling to cope with the high number of patients and limited resources. The international community has called for an end to the violence and increased humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians, particularly children, impacted by the war.
