Doctors at one of Gaza City's last functioning hospitals, Al-Shifa, are overwhelmed with casualties resulting from Israeli strikes. These medical professionals are forced to perform surgeries in unsanitary conditions, often without anesthetics.
An Australian medic volunteering at the hospital described every day as a mass casualty event, bringing to light horrifying cases. For instance, doctors saved a baby from a pregnant woman killed in the strikes.
Israeli military operations are dangerously close to the hospital, now just 500 meters away, as they expand their offensive in Gaza City, described as Hamas's main stronghold.
Reports emerge of continuous air and artillery bombardments, drone attacks, and vehicles laden with explosives driving tens of thousands of Palestinians from their homes daily. The Israeli military stated their actions aim to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages since the onset of violence in October 2023.
Many hospital beds lack proper mattresses, and resources are dwindling. Dr. Nada Abu Alrub described surgeries conducted with minimal anesthesia, emphasizing the dire straits of the medical staff overwhelmed by sustained injuries. It's a nightmare, she described, detailing the challenging environment they face.
Outside, the military offensive intensifies, with troops moving into the city center, further complicating the humanitarian crisis. The UN reports indicate that between 320,000 and 640,000 Palestinians have fled Northern Gaza and Southern hospitals strain under heavy loads.
Gaza healthcare facilities continue to come under fire, compounding the crisis. Medical workers, facing the daily reality of death and despair, work tirelessly with the hope of saving lives in the midst of a community thoroughly affected by this ongoing conflict.
