Doctors at one of Gaza City's last functioning hospitals say they are overwhelmed with casualties from Israeli strikes and are having to carry out operations in filthy conditions with few or no anesthetics.
One Australian medic volunteering at al-Shifa hospital told the BBC that every day was a mass casualty event, while another described how a baby had been saved from the body of a pregnant woman who had been killed.
Israeli forces are now just 500m away from the hospital as they expand their ground offensive to fully occupy Gaza City, which Israel's military calls Hamas's main stronghold.
Outside the hospital, the atmosphere is increasingly dire, with tanks advancing into the city center from the south and north-west. Witnesses report that Israeli air and artillery strikes, drone attacks, and vehicle bombings are driving tens of thousands of Palestinians from their homes every day.
The Israeli military states that it is conducting this operation to defeat Hamas and secure the release of hostages held by the group after months of conflict.
Al-Shifa hospital, once a major medical facility, now lies in ruins—with burned wards, craters, and bullet holes surrounding its premises. Many beds lack mattresses, and medicines are critically low as medical staff work tirelessly to care for the endless stream of injured.
Dr. Nada Abu Alrub, an emergency specialist, characterized the situation as “mass murder, torture, and a nightmare,” explaining that operations take place without adequate anesthesia, with severe injuries treated under horrific conditions.
Amidst the chaos and destruction, reports indicate that civilians, particularly vulnerable populations like children, are facing grave risks as they attempt to find safety or basic medical care.
Recent evacuation efforts have been complicated by rising costs and deteriorating conditions in temporary camps, with families fearful of continued attacks from military forces.
In the continuing conflict sparked by an earlier Hamas assault, the loss of life has surged, with health officials estimating over 65,000 fatalities since October 2023.
