Under siege: Gaza’s medical heroes plead for ceasefire as hospitals crumble in conflict

November 13th, 2023

Awake Goy

Gaza’s medical emergency: a struggle for survival amidst conflict

As the devastating conflict in Gaza continues, the region’s healthcare system faces an unprecedented crisis. Dr. Mohammed Ghneim, an emergency room doctor at Dar Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in Gaza, has become a frontline witness to the catastrophic impact of war on civilian health.

For four relentless weeks, Dr. Ghneim has not left Dar Al-Shifa, also known as Al-Shifa Hospital. The scenes he encounters daily are heart-wrenching: mothers and children with life-threatening injuries, and even his fellow healthcare workers losing their lives. “Many times I want to go to the side and cry, but unfortunately there is no time,” he shared in a voice message to CNN.

The hospital, meant to be a sanctuary of healing, is now a center of despair and death. Lacking essential resources like clean water, medicine, and fuel, Al-Shifa is struggling to cope with the influx of casualties from the ongoing conflict. Adding to the dire situation, an Israeli airstrike destroyed the hospital’s generator, jeopardizing critical life-support systems, including those for neonatal care.

In response to these alarming conditions, medical groups in the United States are urgently mobilizing resources. Nonprofits like FAJR Scientific are spearheading efforts to gather medical supplies and funds. Mosab Nasser, the CEO of FAJR Scientific and a native of Gaza, has taken on the mission to aid these beleaguered hospitals.

The situation in Gaza, home to 2 million Palestinians, has escalated significantly since Israel declared war following a Hamas attack. The Israeli response has been fierce, with airstrikes causing widespread destruction and loss of life. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, over 11,000 Palestinians, including more than 4,500 children, have been killed, and over 27,000 injured.

As the largest hospital in Gaza, Al-Shifa has become a refuge for thousands displaced by the conflict. Yet, Israeli forces have encircled the hospital, raising serious concerns about the safety of those inside. The hospital’s director-general, Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, reported the surrounding of Shifa by Israeli forces and the destruction of its generator, leading to the tragic death of three infants in neonatal care.

Amidst the chaos, healthcare workers in Gaza have issued desperate pleas for a ceasefire. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF) and other international organizations have echoed this urgent call. The Israeli military’s actions have been met with global criticism, as targeting hospitals violates international law. The World Health Organization and MSF have both highlighted the critical need for an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and healthcare workers.

This unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza underscores the devastating consequences of conflict on innocent lives and the crucial role of international aid and diplomacy. The call for a ceasefire is not just a plea for peace but a desperate cry to save lives and alleviate suffering in a region torn apart by violence and war.