Gaza’s largest functioning hospital, Nasser Medical Complex, is perilously close to a disaster as fuel shortages threaten its operations amidst a widening Israeli military offensive in Khan Younis. Doctors at the facility report that they had to cease admitting new patients on Thursday, coinciding with significant advancements of Israeli forces, which were seen just 200 meters away from the hospital. Witness accounts describe heavy artillery fire directed towards camps for displaced families, leading to the burning of tents.
Local reports indicate that staff and patients are now trapped inside the hospital, with working conditions deteriorating rapidly due to the critical lack of fuel necessary for life-saving equipment. The Israeli military has not issued any statements regarding the situation at the hospital, despite their ongoing operations to dismantle what they describe as "terrorist infrastructure" in the vicinity.
Eyewitnesses noted that Israeli tanks, backed by construction vehicles, advanced from a nearby cemetery, sparking violence as they fired shells in the area. Video footage taken by locals reveals clouds of smoke over the landscape, a stark reminder of the conflict's toll on the population.
Reports from inside Nasser Medical Complex express extreme concern among medical staff, who sent messages indicating that they feel closer to death than life as military actions close in around them. Following a temporary withdrawal by Israeli troops from the cemetery, the hospital staff is now reassessing their capabilities to admit new patients amid continuing fuel shortages.
The facility has been stripped down to basic operations, with power generators barely functioning and only able to sustain essential departments such as intensive care for an additional day. In the event of a complete power failure, officials warned that numerous patients relying on ventilators would face immediate danger.
Although some fuel supplies have reportedly entered Gaza, the distribution is outside the military's purview, causing logistical challenges in ensuring hospitals receive what they urgently need. Medical officials warn that the community is grappling with an acute lack of essential medical supplies, particularly for trauma care, as they handle overwhelming numbers of critically injured patients.
Many patients admitted recently reportedly suffered traumatic injuries while attempting to secure food and care for their families amidst the chaos. Disturbing accounts reveal that young adolescents are increasingly among the casualties, underscoring the escalating humanitarian crisis.
As violence escalates, Israeli airstrikes in other parts of Gaza continue to claim lives, including that of a senior Hamas commander and several civilians in Jabalia and al-Shati refugee camp. Meanwhile, negotiations for a possible ceasefire reportedly stall, posing additional challenges to humanitarian efforts, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hints at a potential deal in the near future.
With the conflict having claimed over 57,000 lives and with many seeking refuge in hospitals, the situation in Gaza grows increasingly dire, amplifying the urgent need for international attention and assistance.
