Today's Edition
SHABAAN BILAL (GAZA)
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating due to ongoing hostilities in the northern parts of the enclave, with Jabalia Camp, as well as Zeitoun and Sabra neighbourhoods, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) told Aletihad. Moreover, the massive displacements taking place in Rafah are leading to the collapse of the city, ICRC added.
Hisham Mehanna, ICRC spokesperson for Gaza, noted that some hospitals in northern Gaza, such as Kamal Adwan Hospital and Al-Awda Hospital, have been severely affected by the fighting, resulting in the lack of medical care for the injured people. Hospitals are running at low capacity, while the lack of medical supplies and shortage of staff creates additional obstacles to providing appropriate care for civilians.
Regarding the situation in Rafah, Mehanna pointed out that the number of displaced has exceeded 900,000 people from various parts of the city who are moving towards Khan Younis in hopes of finding a safe place to weather the storm. As the number of displaced is growing, and humanitarian shipments are slowed down due to closures of key border crossings, there is not enough water, medicine, and food to cater to such large numbers of individuals.
The regional Red Cross spokesperson added that the Rafah crossing, a vital conduit for humanitarian aid and relief teams, is now unlikely to reopen for departures, leaving many injured and ill individuals stranded. The health situation is worsening daily, with a significant rise in living costs and scarcity of goods and services, forcing some families to migrate on foot due to unaffordable transportation costs.
Mehanna mentioned that the ICRC has opened a field hospital with 60 beds to support the work of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, as medical and humanitarian organisations are doing their best to meet the enormous health needs in Gaza.
The ICRC spokesperson also raised concerns about the potential outbreak of infectious diseases and noted an increase in chronic disease complications, limb amputations, and infections affecting the respiratory and digestive systems, as well as skin conditions among the displaced populations, largely due to inadequate water and sanitation facilities.
