Fifteen-year-old Abdul, searching for food for his family amidst the devastation in northern Gaza, was caught in an Israeli airstrike, shattering his leg. Crawling through the chaos for over an hour, his cries for help went unanswered until someone finally carried his wounded body to a hospital overwhelmed with casualties and lacking basic supplies. Doctors performed surgery without anesthesia, a grim reflection of the dire conditions in Gaza. Abdul was one of the few Palestinians allowed to be evacuated for medical reasons, undergoing reconstructive surgery at an MSF hospital in Amman, Jordan. He is now learning to walk again, a beacon of hope amidst the despair.
Sadly, Abdul’s story is just one of countless tragedies. More than 10 children lose a leg every day in Gaza, according to Save the Children. Despite the horrific circumstances, Abdul’s survival offers a glimmer of hope, a testament to the tireless efforts of aid workers and medical professionals.
However, the reality for many Palestinians is grim. Israel’s blockade, which has suffocated Gaza for 16 years, has escalated into a nightmare. Over 41,000 people have been killed since October 2023, and the World Health Organization estimates that 12,000 desperately need medical evacuation. Yet, only 41% of medical evacuation requests have been approved by Israel, a blatant denial of basic human rights.
The situation is compounded by the destruction of healthcare infrastructure. 17 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are out of service, a result of over 500 attacks targeting healthcare facilities. The lack of essential supplies, including oxygen concentrators, surgical equipment, and generators, further hinders medical care. This catastrophic situation has led to countless preventable deaths, with patients dying on hospital floors due to overwhelmed staff and insufficient resources.
The psychological scars inflicted by this war are profound. Children like Abdul and Karam, who suffered severe burns in an airstrike that killed 13 members of his family, are physically and emotionally traumatized. UNICEF estimates that over a million children in Gaza require urgent mental health support. The constant bombardment, witnessing death and destruction, and enduring displacement will have long-lasting consequences for their mental well-being.
This ongoing violence and the Israeli blockade constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law. An immediate and sustained ceasefire is the only solution to address Gaza’s overwhelming medical and humanitarian needs. Safe passage for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations must be guaranteed, requiring the opening of land borders, including the Rafah crossing. The suffering in Gaza must end. Governments must act decisively to secure a ceasefire, ensuring displaced populations have access to healthcare and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. This is not just a humanitarian issue; it is a global moral imperative.
