The ongoing Israeli strikes on Gaza have reached a catastrophic point, forcing families to flee their homes in desperate search of safety. Heartbreaking visuals shared online show families walking through rubble, some resorting to donkey carts, as they try to escape the relentless barrage of missiles. The situation in northern Gaza is particularly dire, with the World Health Organization (WHO) describing it as “catastrophic” and highlighting the devastating impact on healthcare facilities and the availability of medical supplies.
The last functioning hospital in northern Gaza, Kamal Adwan, was stormed by Israeli forces on Friday, according to the health ministry in Gaza. Local officials allege that hundreds of staff members, patients, and displaced people were detained during the raid. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintained that their operations were conducted around the hospital, they claimed ignorance of “live fire and strikes in the area of the hospital.”
The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed his deep concern over the situation, stating that the siege on Kamal Adwan has ended but at a “heavy cost.” He revealed that following the detention of 44 male staff members, only female staff, the hospital director, and one male doctor remain to care for nearly 200 patients in urgent need of medical attention. Reports of damage and destruction to hospital facilities and medical supplies during the siege have added to the already dire situation.
The events unfolding in Gaza have sparked global outrage, with the international community calling for an end to the violence and the protection of civilians. The dire humanitarian situation, coupled with the lack of access to essential medical care and supplies, raises serious concerns for the safety and well-being of the Gazan population. The world watches with growing concern as the conflict continues to escalate, leaving behind a trail of devastation and suffering.