The health system in Gaza is in a state of catastrophe, according to officials from the World Health Organization (WHO). Even before the latest round of fighting, the hospitals resembled scenes from a horror movie, with severe shortages of supplies and overwhelmed capacity. Richard Peeperkorn, WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, expressed extreme concern about the resumption of violence, stating that the health system in Gaza has already been crippled by the ongoing hostilities. Currently, only half of Gaza's hospitals are partially functional, with several hospitals operating with twice or three times as many patients as they have beds.

The situation is dire, with shortages of supplies, fuel, food, and even water. Hospital bed capacity has decreased by more than half, from 3,500 to just 1,562. Additional beds are urgently needed, with at least 5,000 beds required to meet the skyrocketing demand. Rob Holden, a senior emergency officer with WHO, provided a firsthand account of the horrific conditions in Gaza. He visited the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, which is now the sole receiving center for trauma patients in the northern region.

Holden described the scene as resembling a horror movie, with the sound of explosions in the background. The hospital's floor was covered in blood, with patients lying on the ground awaiting life-saving care. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, many of whom have been killed or fled with their families, there are not enough personnel or supplies to adequately care for the patients. Additionally, staff members are struggling to handle the growing number of deceased individuals.

Holden emphasized the urgent need to stop the bombing, as the situation is expected to worsen with the influx of casualties. The WHO's representatives have called for a sustained flow of aid to keep the hospitals functional and meet the growing needs of the population. The health system in Gaza is on its knees, and without immediate intervention, the situation will only deteriorate further. The international community must step up to ensure that the necessary resources and support are provided to the health system in Gaza, in order to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.