As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, Palestinian civilians are bearing the brunt of the trauma.
Attacks on hospitals, restrictions on humanitarian access, and blockades of critical medical supplies have severely hampered the ability of Gaza's medical facilities to provide necessary treatment to those in need. Approximately 2 million Palestinians, half of them children, lack access to safe water, food and essential health services. They face danger and disaster every day in Gaza.
What is happening in Gaza?
On October 7, 2023, the Israeli military launched airstrikes and ground operations in the Gaza Strip following a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel.
The conflict has caused severe destruction and widespread death and displacement across Gaza. 1.7 million PalestiniansIt is estimated that almost 80% of the population are internally displaced persons. Many people have been evacuated multiple times. 134 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
Only 12 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are even partially functional. Medical staff continue to treat patients with limited access to medical supplies.
Learn more about the Gaza crisis.
How is the war affecting Gaza's healthcare system?
Gaza's health system has been severely damaged as a result of attacks on its infrastructure, coupled with a shortage of critical supplies and medical professionals. Despite this crisis, medical professionals are working tirelessly in packed medical facilities to provide care to patients in need.
Medical services are under strain
is more than 29,000 Since October 2023, Palestinians have been killed and another 70,000 injured. Hundreds of thousands of people are in urgent need of mental health support due to the suffering caused by the destruction and displacement.
The war has left Palestinians without adequate access to food and safe water. The Integrated Food Security Stage Classification (IPC) food security analysis shows that: 100% of Gaza's population The risk of starvation is imminent, further increasing medical needs.
Gaza is now the world's deadliest place for civilians.
“These medical facilities were not built for mass casualties. And in fact, no hospital in the world was built for this type of continued severe mass casualty. And no hospital can withstand it.” Dr. Seema Jilani, IRC Senior Emergency Medical AdvisorHe was deployed to Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza as a member of the group. IRC emergency medical team.
Al Aska is understaffed and has been forced to close its maternity ward. Pregnant women are being referred to Al Awda Hospital further afield, posing additional travel risks.
As Gaza's health system collapses, the toll of civilian casualties, injuries, and displacement continues to mount. The only way to ensure the safety of these people is to end the violence.
Dr. Seema Jilani, IRC Senior Emergency Medical Technical Advisor and Pediatrician, treats children at Al Aqsa Hospital. Medical professionals from the first Emergency Medical Team (EMT) deployed to Gaza in collaboration with Palestinian Medical Assistance (MAP) and IRC are treating an unprecedented influx of casualties from Palestine. He was taken to hospital to report horrific injuries and evidence of severe malnutrition. shelling by Israeli forces.
Photo: Sami Tabet for MAP
shortage of medical supplies
Israel's blockade of food, water, fuel, essential medicines and supplies is causing untold suffering to Palestinian civilians. These challenges impede the delivery of life-saving aid and put humanitarian efforts at risk.
The ongoing conflict has forced the displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians, including critical medical professionals. Imposed movement restrictions, forced displacement, and personal tragedies have severely hampered the ability of Palestinian health workers to provide necessary medical assistance to the overwhelming number of people in need.
Humanitarian access to northern and central Gaza has decreased due to delays at Israeli checkpoints, increased military activity in south-central Gaza, and threats to humanitarian workers and sites. These challenges impede the delivery of life-saving aid and put humanitarian efforts at risk.
Attacks on hospitals and humanitarian workers
is more than 600 incidents Since violence erupted in October, Gaza has recorded violence against and obstruction of access to health care.
Attack on ambulance approaching Al Aqsa Hospital Four humanitarian aid workers killed Shortly after the IRC emergency medical team had to rush him to the hospital on January 18th. To seek refuge He was admitted to the hospital as violence escalated in the area.
More than 160 aid workers have been killed, making Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for aid workers. Almost all Palestinian aid workers have been evacuated.
Hospitals in Gaza are struggling to cope with the number of injured and lack of supplies. Only 12 of Gaza's 36 hospitals are partially functional.
Photo: Mohammed Zaanoun/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
violation of international humanitarian law
According to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), hospitals, ambulances and their personnel should not be attacked. Protecting people in need of medical care during armed conflict.
Attacks on health and humanitarian workers not only put lives at risk but also disrupt the delivery of life-saving services to communities in crisis. Unfortunately, this is the reality that Palestinian civilians in Gaza currently face.
International organizations are calling for immediate and sustained action. Ceasefire in Gaza and that all parties involved respect international humanitarian law. They also appealed for immediate humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of displaced and injured people. In response, several countries have pledged aid to Gaza, but more is needed to address the scale of the crisis.
Displaced Palestinians walk through neighborhoods destroyed during the temporary ceasefire, checking their homes and recovering items that remain intact.
Photo: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images
How is the war in Gaza affecting children?
The Gaza crisis has had a devastating impact on over 1 million children. Subsistence necessities are rapidly dwindling, homes are in ruins, and families are being torn apart. More than 12,000 children have lost their lives and thousands more remain missing.
almost 1,000 Children in Gaza often lose one or both legs. The amputation is performed without anesthesia and requires ongoing treatment. throughout their lives.
During this crisis, injured children often arrive at medical facilities feeling scared and alone. They lack the reassuring presence of family members. Because of the high number of unaccompanied children seeking medical care, a new acronym was created: WCNSF (Wounded Child No Surviving Family).
With 95% of Gaza's population without access to safe water and Gaza's water, sanitation and health systems hit hard by airstrikes, young children are at high risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. disease, and face an increased risk of chronic diarrhea.
In addition to physical injuries, the conflict also took a toll on the mental health and well-being of these young survivors.
Of the more than 29,000 Palestinians killed since October, 70% are children and women.
Photo: Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images
How does the IRC help Palestinians?
The IRC is closely monitoring and assessing the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt). The IRC is working with the following organizations to deploy emergency medical teams: Medical aid to Palestinians (MAP), to Gaza.
In addition, IRC has procured 47 tons of medicines and medical supplies and is working to distribute supplies to hospitals and clinics in Gaza.
IRC also supports partners who deliver food, medical supplies, and medicine, and provide critical services in medical care, psychosocial support, and emergency shelters. cash assistance for people to meet their basic needs.
IRC's emergency response leverages global experience and expertise in emergency response and a long-standing presence in the region. Throughout 2022, his IRC teams in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya supported his 6.3 million people.
Medical supplies procured by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) arrive in Gaza. IRC said he procured 47 tons of medicines and other medical supplies. Supplies will be distributed to hospitals and clinics to support critical health and medical services.
Photo: IRC
How can we help Palestine?
IRC works with partners to deliver critical emergency aid to families in Gaza and conflict zones around the world. Donate now to support our important work. We are on the front lines delivering critical aid to people affected by crises in more than 50 countries, including those on the 2024 Emergency Watch List.
Click here for details Top 10 crises that the world cannot ignore in 2024 and Download the entire 2024 Emergency Watch List A report that profiles all 20 countries at risk on the IRC list.
