Gaza's Hospitals Struggle as Fuel Runs Out
In Gaza, hospitals are facing a severe fuel shortage, which is putting patients' lives at risk. Doctors are forced to share incubators among multiple babies, and some hospitals are shutting down vital services like kidney dialysis. The UN has warned that the situation is critical, with very little fuel left and no new supplies coming in.
Fuel Crisis Due to Israeli Blockade
The fuel crisis is a direct result of the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid, which has been in place for 11 weeks. This blockade has pushed Gaza's population of over 2 million Palestinians towards famine and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Although some aid deliveries resumed in May, it is not nearly enough to meet the needs of the people.
Al-Ahli Hospital: Tragic Overcrowding of Incubators
The director of Al-Ahli Hospital shared a photo on social media of multiple newborn babies sharing a single incubator. He said that this tragic overcrowding is not just a matter of missing equipment but a direct consequence of the war on Gaza and the blockade that has crippled the healthcare system. The siege has turned routine care for premature babies into a life-or-death struggle.
Al-Shifa Hospital: Forced to Close Dialysis Sections
The director of Al-Shifa Hospital said that the shortages are forcing them to close kidney dialysis sections so they can focus on intensive care and operating theatres. He warned that if fuel is not made available soon, the hospital will have to shut down, putting hundreds of patients, including 22 babies in incubators, at risk. Footage from inside the hospital showed doctors using flashlights as they treated patients.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital: Generator Breakdown
In addition to fuel shortages, there is also a difficulty in finding replacement parts for the generators that power Gaza's hospitals. This is forcing more hospitals to shut down. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza issued an urgent statement that the facility's main generator had broken down due to a lack of spare parts, forcing it to rely on a smaller backup unit.
Fuel Essential for Basic Services in Gaza
Beyond hospitals, fuel is essential to keep basic services running in Gaza. The territory relies heavily on imports for cooking, desalination and wastewater plants, and to power the vehicles used in rescue efforts. Israel has restricted the entry of fuel throughout the conflict and has previously claimed Hamas could use it to launch weapons.
Doctors Without Borders Warns of Unprecedented Crisis
The aid group Doctors Without Borders has warned of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. They have called for a ceasefire and the entry of far greater levels of humanitarian aid. They have also urged Israeli authorities and other governments to end the siege and take action to prevent the erasure of Palestinians from Gaza.