Gaza Health Crisis: Medical Facilities in Khan Younis at Risk of Collapse as Israel's Offensive Continues
The Gaza Health Ministry warns of imminent collapse of medical facilities in Khan Younis as Israel's offensive against Hamas intensifies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and displacing more families. UN and aid groups urge reconsideration of funding cuts.
Medical facilities in Khan Younis, a southern Gaza city, are at risk of collapse, the Gaza Health Ministry has warned, as Israel's offensive against Hamas continues to rage across the Palestinian enclave. Israeli planes and tanks have been pounding areas in Gaza City and Khan Younis, where intense battles have been taking place and large quantities of weapons have been located. The armed wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have clashed with Israeli troops in various areas across the enclave, with fighters claiming to have destroyed two Israeli tanks in Khan Younis.
Nasser Hospital, the largest medical facility in Khan Younis, is in a complete electricity blackout; out of water & food; and lacking medicine, anesthesia & blood. Al-Amal Hospital can no longer operate in any surgical capacity as PRCS reports oxygen supplies have run out 1/
— ⵣ 🇩🇿 🔻▴ (@hamasbob) January 28, 2024
As a result of the ongoing violence, Gaza's healthcare system is on the verge of failing, with hospitals such as Nasser and Al-Amal in Khan Younis being unable to perform surgeries due to depleted oxygen supplies. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has also issued a statement reporting the medical teams' inability to respond to the desperate calls from those caught in the Israeli bombardment. The situation has led to more families being displaced from their homes, seeking refuge in various areas, such as Al-Mawasi and Rafah, as they attempt to escape the destruction and bombings.
In response to this escalating crisis, UN officials and aid groups have called for countries to reconsider their decision to pause funding for the UN refugee agency for Palestinians, which provides vital aid in Gaza. The continued violence and collapse of medical facilities have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with residents expressing concerns about the lack of safety and dire living conditions as they navigate through the ongoing conflict.