Hospitals in northern Gaza completely out of service: Health official: Analysis

Hospitals in northern Gaza are currently without any functioning medical services, as confirmed by the Ministry of Health in the besieged enclave. The occupancy rate in hospitals in the north of Gaza has reached 190 percent, according to Ashraf al-Qudra, Gaza’s health ministry spokesperson, in an interview with Al Jazeera on Tuesday. Al-Qudra also stated that Israel had bombed and destroyed parts of al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, which is currently holding over 700 people captive under an Israeli army siege.

Last week, Israeli forces took control of al-Shifa Hospital to search for a Hamas tunnel network and command center allegedly built beneath the complex. However, Hamas has denied these allegations. In response to the precarious situation in the hospital, a group of 28 premature babies were evacuated to Egypt for treatment on Monday, according to Palestinian authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Additionally, al-Qudra reported that approximately 120 individuals were evacuated from the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza to Nasser Medical Complex in the south of the Strip. However, there are still more than 400 injured people inside the Indonesian Hospital, along with 200 medical staff and over 2,000 others seeking refuge. Al-Qudra mentioned that the Israeli army had created a “circle of death” around the hospital, targeting anyone who moves inside or around the facility.

According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli attacks on the hospital funded by Jakarta resulted in the death of at least 12 Palestinians and dozens more wounded. The Indonesian Hospital is currently surrounded by Israeli tanks, making it difficult to provide adequate medical services. The WHO stated that the hospital can only offer basic services, putting the lives of those with severe injuries and medical emergencies at immediate risk.

Furthermore, al-Qudra mentioned that Israeli airstrikes targeted the house of Gaza’s deputy undersecretary of the health ministry on Tuesday morning. The house was housing 56 of his displaced relatives, and while 17 bodies have been recovered, the rest remain under the rubble. Hospitals in northern Gaza and Gaza City are facing power outages due to fuel shortages and Israeli attacks. The hospitals also suffer from shortages of water, essential medicines, and supplies, as Israel continues its ground operations and airstrikes on the enclave.

The WHO has documented 335 attacks on health complexes in the occupied Palestinian territory since the beginning of the Gaza war on October 7, with 164 attacks in the Gaza Strip and 171 attacks in the West Bank. These attacks have forced mass evacuations from hospitals and resulted in numerous fatalities and casualties among patients, their companions, and displaced individuals seeking refuge there.

As per the enclave’s health ministry, since Israel initiated its air and ground assault on Gaza after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, approximately 13,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 5,600 children and 3,500 women. On the other hand, Israeli authorities claim that Hamas and affiliated groups took around 240 captives during their incursion into southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals.

Analyzing the article, it appears to rely on multiple sources, including the Gaza health ministry, Ashraf al-Qudra as Gaza’s health ministry spokesperson, and the World Health Organization. However, it is essential to consider the potential biases of these sources, as they represent the affected Palestinian population and may have their own agenda.

The article presents a distressing picture of the situation in Gaza, highlighting the critical conditions faced by hospitals due to Israeli attacks and inadequate resources. The description of the “circle of death” created by the Israeli army implies deliberate targeting of hospitals and medical facilities, which raises concerns about potential war crimes and human rights violations.

Considering the political landscape and the prevalence of fake news, it is crucial to approach this information with caution. The article provides shocking statistics and accounts of Israeli attacks, which may influence public perception and fuel anti-Israel sentiments. However, it is necessary to seek additional sources and consider different perspectives to develop a more nuanced understanding of the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/21/hospitals-in-northern-gaza-completely-out-of-service-health-official