Gaza Health System Suffers Total Collapse

A Palestinian spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Monday the total collapse of the health system due to a power outage and the depletion of fuel needed to operate generators in hospitals.

RELATED:
Cuban Youth Call For End to Israel’s Bombing of Gaza

"We fear that more hospitals and health centers will be out of service in the coming hours due to the attacks and the depletion of fuel," Ashraf Al-Qudra told a press conference.

According to the spokesperson, Israeli attacks have so far killed 65 medical workers, destroyed 25 ambulances and rendered 12 hospitals and 32 health centers inoperable in the Palestinian enclave.

Al-Qudra warned of the possible outbreak of a major epidemic wave in Gaza up to 3,150 cases of diseases (most of them reported among children) were recorded in a single day after the outbreak of Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7.

The diseases included diarrhea, food poisoning, skin symptoms, scabies, and bronchial infections. Due to overcrowding in shelter facilities, a lack of clean water, and poor personal hygiene, epidemic diseases have become increasingly prevalent, the spokesperson said. 

To prevent the spread of diseases amid the ongoing Israeli airstrikes and siege on the Palestinian enclave, he called on the international community to provide immediate assistance and restore basic services in Gaza, including water, electricity, and sanitation.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has so far killed at least 5,791 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including 2,360 children. The recent escalation began on October 7 when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel.

In retaliation, Israeli forces launched massive airstrikes and punitive measures, including a siege on the enclave with supplies of water, electricity, fuel, and other necessities being cut off.