Largest hospital in northern Gaza overwhelmed by patients while facing medical resource exhaustion

The Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza, is rapidly running out of medical supplies due to a prolonged Israeli blockade, plunging patients, including those injured in Israel's continued onslaught, into a dire situation.

Al-Shifa Hospital was put out of service when Israeli attacks destroyed it in March 2024.

Receiving funding from international aid organisations, the hospital managed to reopen its emergency department in September last year, with 70 beds, an operating room, and an intensive care unit.

"Al-Shifa Hospital was one of the largest hospitals in Gaza, and its emergency department served as a major unit for receiving patients. Unfortunately, the hospital's current capacity is just a quarter of what it was before the conflict erupted. Over the past three to four months, all the wounded and sick can only receive treatment lying on the floor. The place is always crowded," said Ahmed Abdel Wahid, an emergency doctor at the hospital.

The hospital is overwhelmed with people wounded in Israeli attacks, as well as with patients with non-combat related illnesses.

Muhammad Abu Tabak, a patient who had been treated for his injuries, said he narrowly escaped death on his way back from a food distribution site.

"I was carrying a bag of flour and walking back home happily when I was hit in the back by a bullet fired from an Israeli tank. The bullet struck near my spine and was close to my heart. Fortunately, I survived. But among the 15 people who were with me at the time, some were shot in the head or chest and died instantly. Life is so hard for us," he said.

Hassan al-Shaer, medical director at the hospital, said medical workers are struggling to cope with the number of patients, as well as with the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Strip that is affecting them and their families.

"Currently, we are working 72 to 90 hours a week. The situation is extremely serious. The food supply that my family and my colleagues receives is as limited as any ordinary family in Gaza, which puts tremendous physical and mental pressure on all of us," he said.

The Israeli army has waged a systematic campaign against Gaza's hospitals, claiming that they are used by Hamas.

Many medical facilities have been reduced to rubble and doctors at Al-Shifa Hospital say they are working with the minimum to provide essential treatment to patients.

"Right before the conflict erupted, Al-Shifa Hospital had already faced threats. The hospital was raided multiple times, and some of our doctors and nurses were arrested. Everyone knew these attacks targeted the entire hospital. Before the conflict, the hospital had about ten buildings, but now only two remain operational. The entire complex was severely damaged," said Ahmed Abdel Wahid.

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